Courts / Dublin / Report
Man 'no longer has any faith in electronic financial transactions' after email scam
Summary
Sean McCarthy, aged in his 60s, lost over €26,000 when a fraudulent email replaced a legitimate invoice from Lauragh Construction, leading him to transfer money to a scammer's account. The fraud involved two young men, Jack Ward (22) and Kelvin Kleinovis (21), who acted as money mules. Ward transferred €9,700 to his account and €9,600 to a third man, while Kleinovis received €26,400 and later transferred €9,700 to Ward. Gardaí traced the transactions, and the bank returned €16,580, leaving McCarthy still short €9,820. McCarthy expressed that the loss delayed his holiday‑home project and that he and his wife no longer trust electronic transfers. Ward was sentenced to an eight‑month prison term, suspended, and Kleinovis received a two‑year term, also suspended, after expressing remorse and attempting restitution. The court noted that neither man was suspected of setting up the bogus email. Jack Ward pleaded guilty. Kelvin Kleinovis pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man 'no longer has any faith in electronic financial transactions' after email scam. Charges or matters: recklessly handling the proceeds of crime, contrary to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act 2010. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 10, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 10 Incident
- 2022-02-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: recklessly handling the proceeds of crime, contrary to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: recklessly handling the proceeds of crime, contrary to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
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