Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for man found with 16 fake ATM cards

Summary

In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Fernando Codreanu, aged 23, was sentenced to one year in prison for possessing 16 counterfeit ATM cards. The cards were Argus gift cards whose magnetic strips had been altered to link to various debit accounts, mainly in the UK and some in France. Each card bore a four‑digit sticker that served as the PIN for the corresponding account. Codreanu admitted guilt to five charges of possession of altered cards. The judge noted the technical skill required to modify the cards but accepted a defence that Codreanu was influenced by older men present at the time. Garda John Duffy recounted spotting Codreanu and two other men approaching cash machines; after a struggle, Codreanu was arrested. The judge imposed a 12‑month sentence, stressing the need for deterrence in such offences. Fernando Codreanu pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man found with 16 fake ATM cards. Charges or matters: five charges of possessing cards with altered magnetic strips at Leinster Square, Rathmines on August 9, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 9, 2016 Incident
• 2018-11-29 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report