Dramatic rise in economic fraud and online scams, figures up 170% in South Kilkenny Reporter: '); Economic crime and fraud has risen dramatically in the south of Kilkenny with an increase of 170% in the first two months of this year. The figures compare to the same time period last year. Figures for the same period in Kilkenny City show a rise in economic fraud of almost 10%. The reason for the massive increase in the south of the county has been attributed to there being almost no fraud there prior to the pandemic while in Kilkenny City frauds have transitioned from face to face fraud to ...