A 31-year-old Malawian man who allowed his bank account to be used in a €20,000 “invoice re-direction” fraud after being promised he would receive €500 has avoided jail.
Timothy Milner, of Waterside, Waterford, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of €20,448 knowing or being reckless as to whether it was the proceeds of criminal conduct on August 21, 2017.
Detective Garda Paul Griffin told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting, that a Limerick company had contacted gardai to say they had been the victim of an “invoice redirection fraud.”
The company had received an email from an unknown source in relation to an invoice due and had transferred the money into what turned out to be Milner's account. There was no suggestion Milner was involved in sending the email redirecting the payment.
Milner made full admissions following his arrest. His role was to attend at various banks to withdraw money to hand over to third parties. He had been told he would get €500 in return.
The court heard because the company had initiated the transaction they were at a loss of the money.
Carol Doherty BL, defending, said Milner, who has refugee status, had come to Ireland in 2013 with the intention of making a life here. She said he wished to convey his apologies and asked the court to take into account his guilty plea. He has no previous convictions.
Judge Martin Nolan said it seemed certain parties had a scheme and needed a bank account to transfer money into. He said Milner was approached and co-operated after being promised €500.
He noted the company were at a loss of the money so it was a serious enough matter.
Judge Nolan took into account in mitigation Milner's guilty plea, his co-operation, previous good record and that he was unlikely to re-offend. He imposed a two year suspended sentence.
