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Fraudsters are increasingly targeting older people because they suspect these targets to have more money to steal, but potentially less digital savvy to spot the early warning signs of a scam. The impact of such scams can be devastating if you’ve already retired and have no source of income to replace savings lost to fraudsters.
Romance fraud is lucrative for organised crime groups and prove difficult for victims to recover their money. Of the victims that have come forward to An Garda Síochána since 2020, the majority were female and their average financial loss was approximately €30,000. The highest reported loss by a female in Ireland was over €450,000, while a male victim had more than €380,000 taken.
Online fraudsters are using AI-generated images and videos to try to lure consumers into handing over sensitive data. The fraudsters have been exploiting recent news coverage of a planned State-backed savings and investment scheme to make their adverts appear legitimate. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau reveal that many of the people targeted by these frauds are in their early 50s saving for retirement.
Digital technologies play an increasingly important role in shaping how people age, influencing access to services, opportunities for participation, and overall quality of life. Older adults who use the internet more frequently, particularly on a daily basis, report higher quality of life. As Ireland continues to digitise, ensuring equitable access to digital technologies, infrastructure, and skills is essential for positive ageing for all.
Investment fraud happens when fraudsters, posing as legitimate firms, offer consumers investment opportunities on social media or in a sponsored search result. A common tactic is to promise high returns and then put people under considerable pressure to commit to the investment opportunity quickly. The majority of investment fraud cases begin on social media with customers then receiving phone calls and messages to continue the scam.
Three Ireland has revealed that it blocked more than 26 million suspected scam calls and intercepted over 455,000 fraudulent SMS messages in 2025, highlighting the continued steps being taken to combat telecoms fraud affecting customers across Ireland.
UNECE’s policy brief calls for inclusive digital strategies that empower older people, stressing the need for age-friendly tech, accessible design, digital literacy training, and ethical standards. The brief argues that digital engagement can improve health, independence, and well-being — but only if older adults aren't left behind.
Using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), linked to administrative data on high-speed broadband availability from infrastructure maps, this study examines patterns of Internet uses and psychosocial outcomes for over 3500 people aged 50 plus across Ireland. The findings are consistent with the view that digital engagement can enhance the lives of older people and thus may be supportive of policies and interventions to address potential ‘grey’ digital divides.
The COVID-19 pandemic offered an opportunity for increased digital connection for older adults with intellectual disabilities, but not all benefitted. Those with prior skills, available supports, and the greatest need to connect were more likely to enhance their use of technology. The complexity of the COVID-19 period, including the general impact on mental health and well-being, means that the role technology played in supporting quality of life and mitigating stress/anxiety needs further and longer-term investigation.
Ireland shows strong progress in digital infrastructure and literacy, with growing FTTP and 5G coverage and high public support for digital services. However, challenges remain in expanding e-Health and closing the ICT skills gap. Ireland is positioning itself as a global digital leader through strategic investments and EU cooperation.