The move away from cash has led to an explosion in financial fraud since the covid 19 pandemic.

According to the Irish Independent there's been a 560 per cent increase in the number of bank accounts taken over by fraudsters.

While online scams where somebody pretends to be a reputable company - known has phishing - is up 417 per cent.

The figures were released by the Department of Justice to Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty, who told the paper a national strategy must be developed due to the growing threat.