RTÉ Investigates exposes elaborate mortgage scam by former Ireland hockey star

  9 hrs ago

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A new documentary exposing a mortgage scam involving Irish businesswoman Catriona Carey will air on RTÉ tonight.

RTÉ Investigates -The Accountant, The Con, The Lies uses secret recordings of meetings and phone calls to expose Ms Carey and the details of her scheme.

The former sports star, who played hockey for Ireland and camogie for her county, scammed victims out of thousands of euro.

She is a trained accountant and is also the director and owner of a company called Careysfort Asset Estates Ltd, registered in England.

Since the financial crash, banks have been selling distressed mortgages to other banks and vulture funds at big discounts to get them off their books.

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The programme alleges that Catriona Carey told clients that Careysfort Asset Estates would buy their debt from their lender at a discount and then sell back the debt at a lower price.

However, to avail of the deal, victims would be required to pay a deposit, usually 10pc to 30pc of the original debt, to be paid in cash or to an account in Belgium or Germany.

RTÉ Investigates learnt Catriona Carey has a conviction under the theft and fraud offences act.

She was convicted in February 2020 for theft of €6,948 and for forging a cheque from a Kilkenny hairdresser who had hired her as his accountant.

She was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence.

Catriona Carey told RTÉ Investigates that she could not speak about any client due to strict confidentiality clauses.

She said her company has funds to cover all client deposits but was not advised to refund clients at this point.

All those who tell their stories in tonight’s programme have complained to the gardaí about Catriona Carey and Careysfort Asset Estates.

RTÉ Investigates said it was also aware of at least a further 10 people who have reported her to gardaí.

The programme reveals the intricacy of the scheme and speaks to some of those affected who describe both the human and financial impact they have suffered.

RTÉ Investigates – The Accountant, The Con, The Lies, tonight at 9.35pm on RTÉ One.