Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Over the years we have heard some heartbreaking stories of vulnerable people, generally elderly and trusting people who have lost their life savings as the result of one fraud or another. In recent times I have noted the number of e-mails that come from various parts of the world, telling us there are large sums of money awaiting us if only we provide details to those concerned. This has been happening for some time but recently I noticed the mails have become exceptionally sophisticated in their layout. There is not just one of them; they are arriving in numbers and it is obvious there is an international grouping working on this. Most of us throw them in the wastepaper basket or may pass them to the Garda but I am a little worried there may be people who find themselves tempted by these types of messages. I received one recently and did not reply to it but then got a further mail telling me my ¤2 million had arrived in Kentucky and cannot be released until I provide my details. Needless to say, I did not do that but I am worried about this situation. We should bring this to the notice of the Garda, obviously, but it would also be well worth while having a discussion in this House. While most of us would laugh off this type of e-mail I remain convinced these letters would not come unless they are successful in certain cases. The worst thing that can happen is that details of that nature would be passed on to these international fraudsters, which is what they are. Will the Leader find time, not specifically for this topic, but for fraudulent activities in general? I would not like there to be heartbreaking stories again, in this age, particularly of elderly people who lose their life savings.