Man ‘let fraudsters use account to launder smishing scam proceeds', court hears
A student let fraudsters use his bank account to launder the proceeds of a €16,000 smishing scam, then falsely told gardaí that he himself was a victim, it is alleged.
A court was told Darragh Sutcliffe (20) gave the scammers his details over Snapchat in exchange for €400, but was never paid.
Judge John King ruled that the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level.
He adjourned the case for further DPP directions.
Mr Sutcliffe, of Wainsfort Park, Terenure, appeared in Dublin District Court charged with money laundering and making a false statement.
A garda told the judge that the DPP consented to the case being heard in the district court subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered.
He said it was alleged the accused gave his student bank account details to a third party in exchange for €400, in an arrangement over Snapchat.
A total of €16,350, believed to be the proceeds of a smishing scam, was deposited into Mr Sutcliffe's account in four fraudulent transactions between May 23 and May 25, 2023.
Some €3,500 was withdrawn from various ATMs.
There had been three victims of the scam, which came to light when one woman inadvertently responded to a fraudulent eFlow text message, and €9,350 was taken from her account without her permission.
It was alleged that after Mr Sutcliffe's account was identified, he went to Terenure garda station on June 29, 2023, and knowingly made a false report to distance himself from the money laundering incidents, 'trying to imply that he was a victim of the scam'.
Darragh Sutcliffe
News in 90 Seconds - June 17th
Mr Sutcliffe himself had no part to play in the initial smishing scam and never received the €400, the court heard.
Judge King said the accused's alleged role was that of 'active participant'.
A defence solicitor said the fraudsters 'specifically target people like Mr Sutcliffe' who was only 18 years old at the time.
There was not as much awareness of these offences two years ago, he said.
Judge King refused jurisdiction and remanded Mr Sutcliffe on continuing bail to appear in court again on July 4.
He will be sent forward to the circuit court when a book of evidence is ready.
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