TheGarda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB; formerly Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation/GBFI) – informally known as theFraud Squad – is a specialised division of Ireland's national police force, theGarda Síochána, that investigates economic crimes. The Bureau operates as part of theGarda Special Crime Operations branch and works alongside other sections of the force, as well as the externalOffice of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE), an agency tasked with investigatingwhite-collar crime. The Economic Crime Bureau is responsible for the investigation of serious financialfraud and corruption. It was established in April 1996 and is based at Harcourt Square, Dublin 2. The GNECB is headed by an officer ofDetective Chief Superintendent rank, who reports to theAssistant Commissioner of Special Crime Operations.[2]
Payment Crime and Counterfeit Currency Investigation Unit
Corporate Enforcement Unit (GNECB detectives are seconded to the Director of Corporate Enforcement)[2]
Until 1 September 2016, the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) was housed within the National Economic Crime Bureau, including its time as the Computer Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU).[6] However, it was subsequently constituted as a separate Bureau within the Special Crime Operations section of the Garda Síochána, with oversight by the Detective Chief Superintendent of the GNECB. The Bureau is headed by a Detective Superintendent and is responsible for the investigation ofcybercrime and cyber-related crime, and for the provision of a computer forensic service to the Garda Síochána.
The Economic Crime Bureau focuses on major and complex economic crimes based on the following criteria: monetary loss, investigations involving a significant international dimension, investigations concerning widespread public concern, investigations requiring specialised knowledge and investigations involving complex issues of law or procedure.[2] The Bureau's responsibility includes the gathering of information andfinancial intelligence (FININT) for the force andIrish government, extending toterrorism financing,[7][8] and proactively detecting and preventing fraud throughsting operations.[9]
