Inside the Criminal Assets Bureau auctions where savvy buyers are snapping up seized assets
The Irish Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) continues to auction off assets seized from criminal activities, contributing millions to the state exchequer. The article explores the process of purchasing these items and the unique nature of buying property formerly owned by criminals.
Why it matters
It highlights the state's mechanism for reclaiming proceeds of crime and the public's role in the secondary market for seized assets.
Looking for a designer handbag, some fine jewellery, a luxury car or even a house? You could find a bargain in an unlikely place. The Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) seizes millions of euro in property and high-value items every year, the suspected proceeds of crime. And when they do, the public can buy them.
Cab handed over almost €15 million to the exchequer last year from asset seizures, auctions and the proceeds of crime, according to its 2025 annual report published this month .
Some €10.8 million of this was tax on criminals’ wealth and just over €655,000 was money recovered or saved from social protection. Eighteen properties seized across nine counties were sold for more than €4.4 million.
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