‘Suspected money mule herder’ arrested during search operation

A MAN (20s) identified as being a ‘suspected money mule herder’, recruiting money mules and managing their bank accounts, was arrested in west Tallaght yesterday.

Gardai from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau arrested the man and seized a number of items of evidential value during the course of a search of a residence in west Tallaght, on Monday, August 14.

According to a Garda statement, the search was conducted as part of a larger investigation into incidents of fraud in jurisdictions including Norway, Germany, the USA, Hawaii and Ireland and the subsequent laundering of money through money mule accounts, businesses and trade-based money laundering operations.

During the course of the search, a high valued Range Rover, which is suspected to have been purchased with the proceeds of crime, was seized.

Other items seized include a number of passports, bank cards in family names and names of suspected money mules, bank account details and details of registered companies and businesses.

The Range Rover seized during the operation in West Tallaght (Image: An Garda Siochana)

Cash in euros and dollars was also seized, a note teller (cash counting machine), 30 mobile phones and a desktop computer and laptop.

The Garda statement said: “A man in his early 20s was arrested for an offence contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and is currently detained at a Garda station in Dublin.
 
“This male was identified as being a suspected money mule herder recruiting money mules and managing their bank accounts.
 
“Up to 50 different money mules are identified as having laundered over €196,000 through his bank accounts in Ireland, Germany and Belgium.

“This money came from victims of mainly smishing frauds in Ireland, was initially laundered through these 50 money mule accounts and then forwarded by the money mules to the suspects’ three bank accounts.”

The statement added: “A man in his 50s was also arrested during the course of this search for immigration offences and was later refused leave to land.

“He is being detained pending his removal from this jurisdiction.  

“Investigations are ongoing.”