Individuals based in Ireland were among a group of international conspirators who engaged in a multimillion euro scam which "duped" eBay customers into buying fake golf clubs and merchandise, it has emerged.

This culminated in the sentencing of the UK-based ringleader of the gang behind the sophisticated global operation, Gary Bellchambers (46), to four years and three months in prison by a British court last week.

Snaresbrook Crown Court in London had earlier heard from prosecutors that conspirators in the case had been found in this country as well as Wales, Aberdeen in?Scotland, and further afield.

Six others were also sentenced in relation to the elaborate scam, which targeted users of eBay in Ireland and other countries such as Australia, the USA, Germany, Italy and France.

However, while it is thought possible that gardaí will launch their own investigation now that the UK case has concluded, a garda spokes-man declined to comment.

Bellchambers and his associates sold millions of euros worth of counterfeit golf clubs and other fake golf merchandise via eBay between June 2003 and March 2008.

The counterfeit clubs and merchandise were mainly produced in factories in Shenzen, China, and included well known brands such as Taylor Made and Callaway.

Investigators established that PayPal accounts operated by the gang received more than US $3m during this period.