Courts / Dublin / Report
Serial fraudster used "compromised" cards in refund scam
Summary
Ricardo Correia, aged 34, used 48 legitimate prepaid Mastercards to create "compromised" cards and spent €6,988 at TX Maxx outlets between November 2018 and April 2019. He returned 52 items, obtaining €6,512 in refunds credited to his own bank cards, claiming he received 30 % of the €13,500 raised. He pleaded guilty to theft, use of false instruments, possession of false instruments and money laundering. With 20 prior convictions, Judge Karen O'Connor found the crime premeditated and sentenced him to two and a half years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. Correia was arrested in June 2019 after CCTV footage identified him; his home was searched and three false prepaid cards were seized. He admitted using the cards to purchase goods and return them for refunds, citing debt repayment. His defence highlighted his qualifications and expressed remorse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial fraudster used "compromised" cards in refund scam. Charges or matters: sample charges of theft, use of false instruments, possession of false instruments and one charge of money laundering on dates between November 2018 and April 30, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2018 Incident
- April 30, 2019 Incident
- June 2019 Incident
- 2019-12-17 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: sample charges of theft, use of false instruments, possession of false instruments and one charge of money laundering on dates between November 2018 and April 30, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said it "appears evident that he could easily make a honest living" considering his qualifications and his education before she sentenced him to two and half years in prison with the final six months suspended on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
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