‘epidemic’ | 

Judge warns young people who act as ‘money mules’ should expect to face jail time

Keonan Lennon (22) of Baltinglass, Co Wicklow allowed €11,000 to be transferred into his Bank of Ireland account

© Wicklow People

Today at 09:01

A Circuit Court judge has expressed concern about the “epidemic” of cases involving “money mules” coming before the courts and issued a warning that young people could expect to face spending time in prison for the offence.

Judge Patrick Quinn made his remarks at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court after a young Wicklow man was sentenced for a money laundering offence for allowing his bank account to be used for a fraudulent transaction.

The judge observed that the case was “a classic example” of young people being recruited on the promise of reward for the use of their bank account.

“It is an epidemic,” he added.

Keonan Lennon (22), of Parkmore, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to committing a money laundering offence on November 29, 2021 by allowing €11,000 to be transferred into his Bank of Ireland account.

Garda Damien Lynch gave evidence that a man had been tricked into making the transfer into Mr Lennon’s account after he had clicked on a cloned Bank of Ireland link.

The court heard that the victim was fortunate to quickly realise that he had been defrauded and immediately contacted the Bank of Ireland which managed to freeze the money in Lennon’s account.

When arrested the accused told gardaí that he had made the arrangement to allow his bank account to be used via a contact on Snapchat that he had been told about by a college friend.

Judge Quinn expressed scepticism at hearing that Lennon believed he was taking part in an investment scheme into cyber-currency.

“At 19 he should know the difference between right and wrong,” the judge remarked.

The judge imposed a fine of €1,000 on Lennon after hearing he was a full-time worker with a plant hire firm and had recently become a father.

However, he stressed that the word should go out that the case had “exceptional circumstances” and that other young people who came before his court on similar charges would not be treated so leniently.

Judge Quinn said he was aware that some people convicted for similar offences had been given two-year prison sentences.

He acknowledged that young people could make mistakes and take stupid, silly risks.

However, he added: “Too many people are making this mistake.”

“Others who might be tempted to engage in this activity would be well advised not to do so,” said Judge Quinn.

Meanwhile, Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Mulleady of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau also warned in a weekend newspaper interview that young people are being sucked in as “money mules” by an African-led criminal gang with widespread links in Ireland.

“It’s easy money and some young people don’t see the harm in it. They get a couple of hundred euro for making a simple bank transfer,” said Det Chief Supt Mulleady.

However, he added: “Money laundering is a very serious criminal conviction and people need to be aware of that. It prevents people from getting a visa to travel and it also means you can never get a job in a bank or financial institution.”