Courts / Dublin / Report
Thief told how to 'beat the system' with debit card scam
Summary
Ricardo De Freitas Correia, a 34-year-old Portuguese national with an address in Dublin 15, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to deception and theft offences. The charges related to incidents in May 2019 at retail locations in Blanchardstown, Clondalkin, Swords and Tallaght. Gardaí established that Correia had exploited a debit card processing vulnerability, removing cards when machines prompted him to do so, then swiping them again to complete purchases without entering PINs. He acquired approximately €400 worth of goods including a watch, video games, perfume and an electric toothbrush through this method. All property was recovered. The court heard Correia was acting under direction from another person. Judge Elma Sheahan described the offending as organised and noted Correia's considerable knowledge of circumventing security measures. She imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence, fully suspended on condition of Probation Service supervision following completion of a sentence he was already serving.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Thief told how to 'beat the system' with debit card scam. Charges or matters: deception at TK Maxx, Blanchardstown Retail Park, Blanchardstown, on May 1, 2019; three counts of stealing property from stores in Clondalkin, Swords and Tallaght on April 30, 2019 and May 1, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 1, 2019 Incident
- April 30, 2019 Incident
- 2020-06-26 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: deception at TK Maxx, Blanchardstown Retail Park, Blanchardstown, on May 1, 2019; three counts of stealing property from stores in Clondalkin, Swords and Tallaght on April 30, 2019 and May 1, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Sheahan sentenced Correia to two-and-a-half years imprisonment, but suspended the entirety of the sentence on strict conditions, including that he come under the supervision of the Probation Service following the termination of the sentence he is currently serving.
Places mentioned
- Ballycoolin Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Blanchardstown Retail Park
Topics
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'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request