Fifteen homes in Ireland have been raided as part of an operation targeting a Nigerian money-laundering network.

Almost €15m ($17.3m) of fraud proceeds passed through Irish bank accounts - and Irish police have asked banks to close around 350 accounts suspected of being used in the fraud.

According to the Herald, four cars were also seized this weekend during raids on 15 homes in Dublin, Meath, Laois, Kildare, and Louth; organized with the aim of cracking down on the Nigerian fraud gang.

The Dublin-based newspaper reports that no arrests were made during the dawn searches, however police (Gardai) have said they expect to be detaining people in the coming weeks.

Computers and documents were seized, as well as four Nissan SUVs, during yesterday’s raids.

Caught red handed: Nigerian fraud gang busted by Gardai - https://t.co/VqmioKKmKE pic.twitter.com/xu9U854DH8

— TheLiberal.ie (@TheLiberal_ie) September 9, 2018

The authorities noted that the search of the homes was primarily about gathering evidence to be used against this global criminal organization - which has links to far flung gangs in China.

The Herald reports that the gang leaders have “recruited over 100 fellow nationals to launder money which has been stolen in invoice redirection frauds from companies in Ireland and all around Europe.”

“The network targeted yesterday is suspected of being involved in laundering the cash which associates have stolen in the redirection frauds,” the paper adds.

Nigerian fraud gang target of Garda raids https://t.co/UeSlJ3fgNB pic.twitter.com/hWjw4aNG12

— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) September 7, 2018

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