Ian Bailey to be granted last request as plan for spreading of his ashes emerges
Ian Bailey is to get his last request - his ashes are to be spread in west Cork this weekend.
A private get together is being organised by his family and friends to say a dignified "goodbye" to the main suspect in the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder, almost 18 months after his death.
The private service will involve poetry, music and some prayers and at least 20 people are expected to attend.
Among them are his sister Kay Reynolds and the filmmaker Jim Sheridan who has spent the past few years defending the Englishman's innocence.
Ian Bailey has always denied killing French beauty Sophie.
In the weeks before he died from a heart attack he made a 40-minute video tape from his hospital bed telling how he was totally innocent and that his life had been ruined by Sophie's murder, 32 years ago.
That tape is now in the possession of an Irish TV producer and documentary maker and is expected to be screened publicly at some stage.
The 67-year-old former journalist and poet was cremated within days of his sudden death outside his home in Bantry, Co Cork in January last year.
He collapsed from a massive heart attack as he walked down the street. He had suffered heart problems for the previous year and was too weak to undergo surgery.
His sister Kay did not want his funeral to be turned into a media circus so no one was allowed to attend his cremation in Cork city apart from the undertakers.
Bailey told his sister that he wanted his ashes to be spread over his beloved west Cork where he lived most of his life after he passed away.
This will now be done this weekend after the private farewell get together.
A source said: "Details of the event are being kept very quiet and it is a private affair.
"Ian wanted his ashes spread in west Cork so this is what will be happening.
"He may have been a suspect and in many ways an outcast because he was eccentric but there were a small number of people who had time for him and were always in contact.
"They never got the chance to pay their respects or say goodbye, but they will now.
"There will be pints, poetry, music and prayer."
Jim Sheridan has made a new movie on the murder called Re-creation, starring Colin Meaney who plays Bailey and Aidan Gillen.
He is adamant there was no evidence against Ian Bailey to prove he killed Sophie and the film by all accounts reflects this view.
Sophie's family totally disagree and believe the new film contains much fiction and should not have been made while the Garda investigation into the murder is continuing.
Yesterday, Gardai confirmed their review into Sophie's murder despite Ian Bailey's death is still continuing.
In a statement, Gardai said: "The Garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in 1996 remains active and ongoing.
"The Garda Serious Crime Review Team's review into this murder, which began in June 2022, also continues.
"Throughout this investigation An Garda Siochana has appealed to any person with any information in relation to the investigation to come forward in order to assist us.
"Gardai continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Bantry Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111."
Bailey's former partner Jules Thomas disclosed last weekend that she is suffering from a terminal illness.
The couple split up a few years ago but she also still insists he didn't kill Sophie.
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Sunday World
14 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Loyalist cousin of Shankill Butcher leading far-right protests in Dublin and Limerick
Cousin of notorious Shankill Butcher seen at front of anti-immigration rallies in Dublin and Limerick A loyalist ex-prisoner and cousin of a notorious Shankill Butchers cut-throat killer is leading Irish far-right protests, the Sunday World can reveal. Convicted armed robber Mark Sinclair – a one-time UVF thug from the hardline loyalist Shankill area of Belfast – has been seen recently leading anti-immigrant protest rallies in Dublin and Limerick. But the Sunday World can reveal that Sinclair is a diehard loyalist who served 17 years in prison. He is also the cousin of Billy Moore, the feared knife-killer deputy to Shankill Butchers boss Lenny Murphy, whose gang roamed the city for years, picking up innocent Catholics before mutilating and murdering them. Mark Sinclair on the march Sinclair used his YouTube channel 'Freedom Dad' to voice strong support for the protests in the Republic and, by his own admission, he was welcomed with 'open arms' by the 'Limerick Says No' campaign last week. And by way of reassuring his concerned loyalist mates back in Belfast, Sinclair later said of his new-found friends: 'Not every one of them wants a united Ireland. I very rarely hear it.' But last night, Malachy Steenson – organiser of the Dublin protest – distanced himself from the former UVF man. He told the Sunday World: 'I have no connection to Sinclair. And I only learned he was at the protest, when I was told by the media. Now, you have to wonder how some of the southern journos even recognised him?' At anti-immigration protest in Limerick last weekend, the former UVF man told viewers on his YouTube channel: 'Times have changed. You don't hear so much about it these days. As you know, we're not giving anything up. The six counties belong to us. 'I don't know how long it's going to belong to Britain, but it will always belong to us, the Ulstermen and women in Northern Ireland. 'I'm trying to come across as honest and transparent. I'm not coming down here pretending to be this or that. I'm an Ulsterman and I'm proud to be an Ulsterman. 'But I like the Irish. I think it's an amazing part of the world. And not all of them want an all-Ireland. I very rarely hear it. Even 'Tiocfaidh ár lá – it's just Irish for 'our day will come'. Loyalist Mark Sinclair making a live YouTube broadcast at an anti-immigrant protest in Limerick last week . 'It's like 'slán go fóill a chara' – see you later my friend – it's just a foreign language. And I know some people won't like that. 'But it's just like France or Spanish. I wouldn't get too hung up on it,' said Sinclair. But he devoted most of his vitriol to immigrants and refugees who have come to Ireland. Said Sinclair. 'I'm going to talk with some friends to see how we can stop these men coming from Ireland into Northern Ireland. 'We need to stand up as men and women, Protestants and Catholics. We need to stop these men coming in from Ireland or England,' he said. He added: 'I'm Freedom Dad and God bless every single one of you.' But what Sinclair failed to disclose as he mingled with activists during his whistle-stop trip south of the border, was that he once shared a house with his close relative, the notorious Shankill Butcher Billy Moore. And it was from Moore's flat on the outskirts of Edinburgh that Sinclair was scooped by Scottish cops over a series of armed bank robberies on the west coast. Police confirmed a dozen people had been arrested during the raid on suspicion of assault, kidnap and extortion. Sinclair told the High Court in Ayr that he had been hired by the British Secret Service to spy on loyalist terrorists in Scotland. And he also said he was paid £50,000 each time he met his handler. Despite his claims, the trial judge sentenced him to 17 years in jail. Sinclair led a gang of Belfast-born desperadoes behind a spate of bank robberies on the west coast of Scotland, while the were based in Moore's flat on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Soon the flat became known to police as a 24 hours-a-day drugs and drink den. A victim of the Shankill Butchers Sinclair – who was in his mid-20s – established himself as the leader of an armed robbery outfit. And in an effort to throw the cops off their scent, Sinclair's robbery squad targeted Clydsdale Banks on the west coast, because rural banking halls had less security than normal. Sinclair wore a mask to cover his face and he brandished a hand gun during robberies at three banks, putting staff into a state of sheer panic. But after armed Scottish detectives raided Moore's flat, Sinclair was arrested along with two associates and charged with several bank robberies. Cutthroat killer William Moore And in October 2003 at the High Court in Ayr, he was found guilty of robbing banks in Troon and Stewarton in Ayrshire and Dalbeattie in Dumfries and Galloway. He was also found not guilty of robbing another two banks in Ayrshire. In the mid-1970s, the names Lenny Murphy and Billy Moore struck fear into the hearts of Catholics in north and west Belfast. When Murphy was jailed on other charges, Moore succeeded him as the main cut-throat killer in the UVF murder gang. At that time, the Shankill Butchers stalked the near empty streets of inner city Belfast, looking for victims. But despite being the leader, Lenny Murphy never stood trial for the Butchers Gang crimes. During a major criminal trial he was simply referred to as 'Mr. X' . But on November 16 1982 – shortly after his release from prison on arms charges – Murphy was ambushed and machine-gunned to death by IRA serial killer, Gerard 'Hucker' Moyna as he pulled up in a car outside his girlfriend's house in Glencairn. The IRA had received inside information on Murphy's movements from leading UDA extortionist Jimmy Craig, as part of an insurance policy to prevent the IRA from killing him. On May 17, 2009, Billy Moore died aged 60 of a suspected heart attack at his home in the loyalist Mount Vernon estate, off Belfast's Shore Road. A short time before, Moore had appeared in court charged with stealing scrap metal from the Belfast Harbour estate. But after Moore pleaded guilty to carrying out 11 of the 19 Shankill Butchers murders, Mr Justice Turlough O'Donnell told him: 'You Moore, pleaded guilty to 11 murders carried out in a manner so cruel and revolting, as to be beyond the comprehension of any normal human being.' And he pointedly added: 'I am satisfied that without you, many of the murders would not have been committed.' Addressing Moore and Robert 'Basher' Bates – another member of the Butcher gang who was involved in 14 murders – Judge O'Donnell told them: 'I see no reason whatever – apart from terminal illness – why either of you should ever be released.' During police interrogation, Moore collapsed in floods of tears and he asked detectives: 'Did I really do these things?' He received 11 life sentences, but as he was led from the dock he smiled and waved to supporters in the public gallery. Loyalist Mark Sinclair making a live YouTube broadcast at an anti-immigrant protest in Limerick last week News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd But Moore's swagger belied the fact that two years before, following his arrest, the knife killer had begged the police to get him a deal to serve his sentence outside Northern Ireland, in return for him telling them everything they needed to know about the Shankill Butchers gang. Moore confessed to committing 11 murders and involvement in another seven. And he also named all of his accomplices. But under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Moore was released after spending 18 years behind bars.
RTÉ News
40 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
How Joe Duffy changed Irish radio forever
Back in 2007, I interviewed Joe Duffy in the seafront house in Clontarf, where he still lives with his wife, June, and where they raised their triplets, Ellen, Sean, and Ronan. The broadcaster, who will step down as host of Liveline next Friday after 27 years, was then 51 years of age, and he was his usual very good company. He yarned and cracked jokes ("Isn't it funny how Gay Byrne only became a household name when he retired?") but he was also very passionate about his radio show, a mix of the deadly serious, the light-hearted and the plain odd that embraced all human life. However, as soon as I clicked my tape recorder off, Joe put on a show of mock indignation and said: "I'm annoyed that you didn't come to look at my fire engines..." And there they were, ranging from the vintage to the modern, and taking up two shelves in his living room - Joe Duffy's collection of model fire brigades. "This one cost a ton," he said, lapsing into Dublinese and picking up a cute little red number that might have caught his attention when he was a child growing up in Ballyfermot. Fire engines, eh? The metaphor was almost too clunky to mention, but impossible to ignore as Joe Duffy has been putting out fires and starting a few of his own as host of Liveline over the past 27 years. And now it's all coming to an end next Friday when Duffy (who is now 69) will hang up the phone, but maybe not the mic for the last time. Politicians, publicans, bankers, TV producers (take that, Normal People!) and just about anyone who has provoked the ire of the great Irish public is not safe or sacred on a show that truly cuts to the heart of public access radio and public service broadcasting. In its soon-to-depart host's own words, Liveline was "a brilliant weathervane for subterranean Ireland". It is a phone-in show that is never phoney, and with Joe at the helm, it really became the sound of a nation talking to itself. Duffy was the everyman at the end of the phone who could cut to the heart of a story with journalistic rigour and an avuncular approachability. His empathetic sigh punctuated many an afternoon, and his slowly, slowly, catchy monkey approach to teasing out the heart of a story and giving all sides their say made him a brilliant listener, but with antennae tuned to the right questions to ask. He uncovered harrowing stories of institutional abuse, medical scandals, and helped right wrongs for consumers left out of pocket. Scammers were scorned, and politicians were all but banned from Liveline under Joe's watch. As he often said, "I am disliked equally by the banks, the powerbrokers, the newspapers and RTÉ itself." If people couldn't get a reply from a company, a TD, or a minister, they would call Joe. Liveline also became the place to tell the stories Ireland wasn't always ready to hear. From survivors of abuse, institutional neglect and discrimination, Joe gave them a place to talk openly and without fear of judgement in a country that is often too quick to judge. Just last Tuesday, Liveline lit up with discussions about the Israel-Iran war, organ donations, and, well, a pregnant Irish woman's craving for Erin's mushroom soup in Zimbabwe in 1988. Liveline was a lifeline for the dispossessed and the plain pissed-off, and it made Joe Duffy a household name. This was a show that could go anywhere and often did. Sob stories, incredibly sad stories, mad stories and bad stories – all guided by Duffy's journalistic rigour and keen ear for a human interest story. Anyone who worked on the show over the years will tell you that they wouldn't have a clue what was going to happen seconds before they went on air. That or they didn't have anything to talk about. But this is Ireland, so that never lasted very long. As he said on The Late Late Show in May, "I go into the studio with an idea of how it might start, but no idea how it will end. It could end in laughter; it could end in tears." How did he do it all these long years? You'd need the patience of a saint, not to mention an industrial bulls*** detector. "I come out of the show every day kicking myself," he said during that 2007 interview. "I miss myself when I do try to kick myself. I come out every day thinking, 'why didn't I say this, why didn't I move to that quicker?'" But he was always on the side of the caller and not some remote figure up in Montrose, despite being the highest-paid person in RTÉ over the past few years. The former student activist and prison social worker was the perfect host for Liveline. Then again, he had an accent you didn't hear very often on the radio, least of all from the host of the second most listened-to programme in the country. Neither was Joe given to slick patter or the kind of aimless musings that fill up too much airtime. Joe, who always wore his intelligence and love of culture lightly, was never the story. Liveline is about giving ordinary people the power to break stories, vent frustrations and speak their truth in real time. He let the nation do the talking - the now semi-mythologised "woman from Clontarf" has long since become the Irish equivalent of the man on the Clapham omnibus. Now the "most curious boy in the class", as one of his school teachers used to call him, is bowing out. It's no exaggeration to say that he changed Irish radio and helped change the actual country forever and for the better. The show celebrates 40 years on air this year, and Joe can depart the hot seat in the knowledge that it is still the second most listened-to radio programme in Ireland. Speaking live on air the day he announced his retirement last May, he said, "People felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, and share their lives, problems, stories - sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles, and their victories. I never took that for granted, not for a single minute." The triplets are now 30 and making their own way in the world, and Joe is 69. It's time for a change of gear for Duffy, but there is a quip from his late mother Mabel that he always circles back to and one that never gets old. "My mother always had a great line," Duffy said. "She was down at the shops in Ballyer years ago and someone who had just returned to the area after a few years said to her, 'Mabel, I hear your Joseph is working in RTÉ - what's he doing?' And she said, 'He answers the phones.'"
RTÉ News
40 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
How secure is your banking app?
Mobile banking is one of the most popular internet activities in Ireland. During the first six months of last year, 87% of internet users used internet banking or mobile banking, according to the Central Statistics Office. This trend tells us that many people now use their phones to manage their accounts and make payments. But fraudulent payments are a growing concern in Europe, especially in the rapidly evolving digital marketplace. Earlier this year, the Central Bank of Ireland published a new Behind the Data (BTD) paper on Irish payment fraud statistics. However, there are no stats to identify how many scams or frauds happen specially through interactions with apps. Head of Financial Crime with Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) Niamh Davenport warns that app scams usually happen because a phone or device has been hacked. "Everyone thinks they're banking app scams, it's generally your phone that has been compromised rather than the app itself," said Ms Davenport. "Summer last year is probably the first time we really saw app scams come into force and they're still low volume in Ireland from what members are telling us, but they're only going to increase," she said. In March, the BPFI hosted the first Cross-Sector Anti-Fraud Forum which was established as a key action under the Department of Finance's National Payments Strategy. BPFI will chair the Forum for the initial period of two and half years and work with industry partners, the Government and An Garda Siochana to ensure a robust framework for fraud prevention, detection, and disruption. How secure are banking apps? Biometric logins, such as facial recognition, are becoming increasingly common within mobile banking apps to ensure they are secure. Our banking apps are "in general" secure, according to independent expert and Chief Technical Officer at Wayne Morgan. "Most banking apps have to undergo diligent tests and ongoing tests for the security vulnerabilities. So, in general, yes, I would say banking apps are secure," said Mr Morgan. He advises users to adopt a trust nothing and check everything attitude when it comes to keeping your personal information safe. "Cyber security and your approach to security starts the moment you sit in a chair or turn on your device," said Mr Morgan. "It's not good enough to action after the fact, you have to be diligent from the moment you pick up your device," he said. What are the main risks of banking apps as a consumer? They include phishing attacks, malware, fake apps or rogue apps or spoof apps; people reusing credentials in their banking that they would use in multiple other places; and man in the middle attack (MITM). MITM attackers sometimes create their own malicious public wifi networks to lure unsuspecting users and harvest their personal data. The attacker places themselves between a user and the app or website to eavesdrop on the communication. This can be done through a piece of software installed on a phone, tablet or computer and the attackers uses it to steal or manipulate information. This is why it is important not to use the same password for multiple accounts, as it makes it easier for attackers to compile more of your personal information. "People have a habit of using a password that's easy to remember. It could be a family member's name, an anniversary, the name of a pet," said Mr Morgan. "They will reuse that password across the spread of their apps, it could be their Facebook or Instagram, their banking, it could be many, many things, and reusing the password is definitely something we would advise against." Is technology or human error more susceptible to fraudsters? Typically, human error is the main path to a breach. Phishing and smishing are the most common attacks used by fraudsters to socially engineer customers into giving away their credentials. When downloading any apps, consumers should only use the official Apple and Android app stores. BPFI's Niamh Davenport warns that fraudsters are targeting people directly, and consumers need to take extra steps to check the legitimacy of an app. "We just click on things so quickly or we trust information that's put in front of us so easily. Irish people would have questioned everything, and I think we've just become a very trusting nation and just take everything at face value on particular when it comes to social media," she said. In an effort to tackle text scams the Communications Regulator has developed an SMS Sender ID system. From 3 July this year, unregistered SMS Sender IDs will be modified to "Likely Scam" to alert the recipient to be cautious of the content of those text messages. While from 3 October 2025, text messages from unregistered SMS Sender IDs will be blocked. What happens if you download a fake banking app? Fraudsters can trick people into sharing their logins and sensitive financial information with fake banking apps that imitate legitimate mobile banking. However, any fake app that is downloaded inadvertently through unofficial links or phishing websites poses a threat to the security of your information. And the fraudsters can play the long game, as you will have no idea that they have access to your phone or device. By installing an app from an untrusted source, there is the same risk as an email breach. The hackers can install a Trojan piece of software, and somebody will be sitting with full uninterrupted access to the device; and they'll just sit there. "It could be for days, for weeks, months, monitoring the traffic, waiting for the opportunity of you to use your banking app and enter your password," said Mr Morgan. "If you have two factor authentication, they will be sitting there waiting for the access code or token from your two-factor authentication session to go across," he said. "They would then use that token to gain access to your banking app. These things are a long game, they're not necessarily good in the short term, so diligence over time is critical," he explained. If a device is hacked in this way, deleting the fake app is unlikely to solve the problem. The initial piece of Trojan software that was installed is likely to install something else in the background such as a port or access path to a third party to access the device and the user's information. How are the banks in Ireland working to protect banking app customers? The EU is working on a new legislative framework the Payment Services Regulation (PSR) as well as a third Payment Services Directive (PSD). Both aim to modernise payment services, enhance consumer protection, and promote competition in the payments market. Banks in Ireland are not automatically liable for losses due to scams, but it is likely they will investigate the incident and could potentially refund the customer. This will depend on the type of scam or unauthorised payment, if the customer promptly reported the incident and a bank's own policy regarding scam refunds. Banks also have a range of security measures from the app itself being security protected, to one of the bigger ones which is transaction monitoring and its own internal systems. Here is a look at six of the top banking apps used in Ireland. AIB said its mobile banking service provides the highest level of industry standard security. The bank has 2.2 million active users on its digital channels and said it is continuously making significant investments to enhance its fraud monitoring systems. In the bank's 2024-2026 strategic update it included spending of around €300m per year period to ensure a "future fit" platform, but did not give a specific breakdown on spending on the app. AIB Head of Financial Crime, Mary McHale, noted the ongoing investment is to enhance cyber security protection and broaden the range of mobile payments capability, while adhering to new and emerging regulation. "We released 'Selfie Check' which uses facial biometrics to verify a customer's identity via our AIB Mobile app, using the latest technology to recognise the things that make a customer's face unique, so we know it's you in control of your money", Ms McHale said. "In the event of a customer mislaying their card, they can put a temporary freeze on it through the mobile app, on our internet banking service, or through the kiosk in our branch. There is the ability to unfreeze the card if found, which can then be used again as normal," she said. AIB said it cannot comment on individual customer cases, however it noted that when a customer initiates and authorises a payment that they later realise was fraudulent, they advise them to report it to the Gardaí and to them as soon as possible to give them the best chance of retrieving the payment. It added that once a fraudulent payment is reported to them, they can then report the fraud to the receiving bank and request for the funds to be returned, unfortunately in some cases it may be too late. Revolut Digital finance Provider Revolut is a fully licensed bank in 30 EEA countries, including Ireland where it has three million customers. It is authorised by the European Central Bank and regulated by the Bank of Lithuania. Revolut said that in 2024 alone it prevented approximately €750m in potential fraud against its customers. It said it continually enhances the app's security features, this year launching in-app calls to help customers quickly expose impersonation scams, as well as implementing real-time AI fraud detection systems, transaction limits, biometric authentication requirements, and providing educational resources to help consumers remain informed about potential risks. The Revolut app security features include strict identity checks, biometric security, a dedicated control centre where customers can personalise their security settings across more than 10 features, complete card control (a customer's physical card must be activated in their app), Wealth Protection (an additional layer of biometric security), in-app calls, and 24/7 customer support. A Revolut spokesperson said: "Our financial crime experts, who now make up more than a third of our 10,000-strong workforce, are continuously innovating to stay one step ahead of scammers, implementing real-time AI fraud detection systems, transaction limits, biometric authentication requirements, and providing educational resources. This thereby ensures that our customers are increasingly less exposed to the industry-wide risk of fraud." Bank of Ireland Bank of Ireland said the standard for security measures is set by the PSD 2 Regulation and the regulatory technical standards. A dedicated team of around 200 people are employed by the bank to work 24/7 to address fraud attempts. Last year Bank of Ireland announced an investment of €50m in customer fraud prevention and protection, with €15m specifically allocated to new fraud prevention technology. The investment includes implementing voice biometric technology and enhancing self-service features on the mobile app. The bank operates device monitoring with a range fraud measures across the Bank of Ireland app and online channels, including fraud detection tools across customer activity, payment limits, effective warnings, strong customer authentication, in-channel messaging, and push notifications. Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland, Nicola Sadlier, said where they have a suspicion, they will reach out to a customer by text or phone call. "Essentially that team is working 24/7 to manage alerts, reach out to customers and attempt to stop any fraud either on our channel or whether a customer's being caught up unknown to themselves," she said. If an app scam is reported the bank will investigate fully and report it to the Gardai unless the customer has already done so. Bank of Ireland said it may have to get on to beneficiary banks to look to recover funds and will keep customers informed at all stages of the investigation. As member of the BPFI working groups, industry forums, and the Cyber Defence Alliance, Ms Sadlier said understanding what other banks are experiencing is a key focus area. "The UK often start experiencing fraud attacks ahead of us, it's really important that we share trend information and learn what's happening and to get ready and respond," she said. An Post An Post is continually focused on ensuring that its An Post Money app is secure by constantly enhancing it based on market intelligence and its own fraud experiences and systems monitoring. Product Management Consultant at An Post, Bruce Richardson, said they have not seen a rise in app fraud among its customers. He credits this with An Post's back-end security measures and educating customers, including the Fraud "Stop & Think" notifications in the app. "The weakest point is the customer because we're socially engineered to believe if somebody phones you and says they're from the fraud department or whoever it might be, we're socially conditioned to accept that," said Mr Richardson. "Also the fraudsters have become more clever about how they do it, people think they're going to phone up and ask for your bank details but they've already done that they already have your information, they're only looking normally for that verification code that will be sent to your mobile device and that's the piece that they really want," he stated. One feature that An Post credits with being instrumental in protecting customers is its Dynamic CVV. This is a security feature that replaces the static three-digit CVV number on the back of your debit card with a new, one-time-use code generated within the An Post Money app for each online purchase. This measure makes the CVV number useless to fraudsters after it's been used. "The fraudsters buy databases of card details off the dark web but the key piece that they don't have then is the CVV, and then because it changes every five minutes on the app it has been a key part for us to help curtail the fraudulent activity from a numbers perspective, he added. N26 German online bank N26 operates primarily through a mobile app and is a fully licenced digital bank. It is in operation in multiple countries across Europe, including Ireland. Governed by the same regulations as all traditional banks, N26 adheres to strict regulations on security, compliance, and financial crime prevention. It said it uses state-of-the-art systems to ensure its app is highly secure, to stay ahead of fraudsters and eliminate possible human error. The key security processes it uses are the "Know-Your-Customer" process which verifies a customer's identity and confirms that they are who they claim to be. N26 also carries out ongoing transaction monitoring to detect suspicious activity, and reauthentication which protects against identity and password theft. The secure features include but are not limited to a single paired device, two factor authentication, fingerprint and facial recognition, instant notifications, in-app card locking and pin change, location tracking and smart payment blocks The current trends the digital bank has identified in the last two years following reports by N26users in Europe are: - Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, where malicious actors convince victims to authorize payments themselves - digital wallet fraud, where criminals link users' cards to wallets to make unauthorised transactions - marketplace scams - where fraudsters entice customers with attractive offers for goods that never are received - postal fraud - which typically contain phishing messages to obtain sensitive customer information PTSB PTSB said it has robust security and fraud protection features in-built in its app to provide customers with a safe and convenient channel to meet their banking needs on the go. In a global banking first, the bank introduced "PTSB Protect", a feature to its mobile app which helps prevent customers falling victim to fraudulent scams and is continuously investing in this feature. PTSB Protect alerts customers if they receive a text message containing a fraudulent link or block them from accessing a suspicious website on their mobile device. It compares links received or accessed on a customer's phone against a known blocklist of links which pose as legitimate websites to deceptively obtain a customer's personal or banking details. Where a link matches an entry on the blocklist – which is maintained and updated daily by the bank – the website will either be blocked or an alert will be sent to the customer. The bank's dedicated fraud team carries out 24/7/365 real-time fraud monitoring of all app activity and transactions and provides 24/7/365 Agent support. A PTSB spokesperson said: "We have invested, and continue to invest, significantly in security and fraud prevention and detection across all our channels, including our mobile app and desktop banking services". "This includes the 'PTSB Protect; feature on our mobile app which has supported a 64% reduction in customer account exposure year on year," the spokesperson said. "As fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, we communicate with our customers on an ongoing basis on how to avoid fraud and scams across all of our channels, in addition to our participation in the banking industry's FraudSMART programme," the spokesperson added.
