Courts / Dublin / Report
"Money mule" avoids jail for part in €1.1m invoice scam
Summary
Michael Cole, 28, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct and possession of cannabis. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a sentence of two and a half years imprisonment, which was suspended in full on strict conditions. Cole admitted to receiving €20,000 into his Bank of Ireland account at Newlands Cross on May 17, 2016, as part of a €1.1 million money laundering operation involving a Danish company. Prosecution evidence indicated that Cole acted as a "money mule," directing the conversion of funds into US Dollars and UK Sterling under the instruction of others, for which he received €1,200 in cash and a phone. He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis at his address on November 14, 2017. The court noted that Cole had no previous convictions and was involved in a custody dispute at the time of the offence. While €960,000 of the laundered funds has been recovered, €80,000 remains outstanding. The judge accepted that Cole was not the main operator of the scheme, describing him as having been used by individuals more adept in crime.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Money mule" avoids jail for part in €1.1m invoice scam. Charges or matters: possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct at Bank of Ireland, Newlands Cross, Clondalkin, on May 17, 2016; possession of cannabis at his address on November 14, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 17, 2016 Incident
- November 14, 2017 Incident
- May 11, 2016 Other
- 2019-11-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct at Bank of Ireland, Newlands Cross, Clondalkin, on May 17, 2016; possession of cannabis at his address on November 14, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Cole to two and a half years imprisonment, which he suspended in full on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
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