A 19-year-old man who became involved in a money laundering operation and had €3,200 falsely transferred to his bank account has been jailed. Enoch Mpofu with an address at Killegland Walk, Ashbourne appeared at Trim District Court charged that on 12th July last year within the State did engage in converting, handing, possessing or using property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, €3,200.
Court Presenter Sergeant Alan Radcliffe said that defendant had been involved in what was known as a “phishing” incident. After the money had come into his account he made six cash withdrawals of €500 each. Defending barrister Paul Noctor said that his client had given his account details to a friend of his. He wanted to apologise and offered to pay compensation. He was unemployed at the moment.
Judge Eirinn McKiernan, pictured above, said that an innocent party was out this money and was someone who probably worked hard for it. He’s had 12 months to pay the money back. “Why didn’t he go out and get a job and pay it back?”
She said this kind of offence was becoming all too frequent. There was no money repaid in this case. The defendant was sentenced to four months imprisonment. She fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal at €300 own surety with an independent surety of €1,000 cash.
