‘Money mule’ caught with €2k stolen cash in account
A TALLAGHT man who was caught with €2,000 in stolen cash in his bank account had been used as a “money mule” by organised criminals, Tallaght District Court has heard.
Judge Patricia McNamara heard that Cabdi Mohamed’s case had come to the attention of the gardai during a much larger investigation by Garda into money laundering.
Mohamed, aged 20, with an address at Ard Mor Walk, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to possessing stolen property: €2,000 at Bank of Ireland, Main Road, Tallaght, on July 25, 2017.
A Garda told the court that €2,000 in stolen cash was deposited into Mohamed’s account and the cash was then withdrawn in three instalments.
The court heard that Mohamed’s only involvement in the scheme was to allow the use of his account.
The garda described Mohamed as a “money mule” in a scheme in which organised criminals use legitimate accounts to move money.
The court heard that Mohamed had no previous convictions.
His counsel, Stephen Montgomery Bl, said Mohamed lived at home with his parents and worked as a car park attendant.
He said Mohamed hoped to study business management in college.
Mr Montgomery described his client as “vulnerable”. He said Mohamed had been taken advantage of by another individual. Mr Montgomery said the other party was an intimidating individual who had put pressure on Mohamed to get involved in the scheme.
He said Mohamed had been under pressure at the time and had been put in “great fear” by the other individual.
Judge McNamara said it was a serious offence. She remanded Mohamed for six weeks for a probation report and sentencing.
She told the Probation Officer that it would be a case that could do with the involvement of the Restorative Justice Scheme.
