Courts / Dublin / Report
Fake 'immigration officer' jailed for duping victims out of €71k
Summary
Alan Cloake, aged 47, was jailed for three years after impersonating an immigration officer and defrauding ten people of €71,000 between 2015 and 2017. He convinced victims, all Malawian and Filipino nationals, that he could secure legitimate citizenship for a fee. Cloake used aliases "Michael Madden" and "Michael Walsh" and a phone number linked to a 2013 traffic report. Victims paid thousands of euros, which Cloake spent on gambling and hotels. He pleaded guilty to false representation and possession of proceeds. The court noted he had paid back about €6,000 and imposed a four‑year sentence, suspending the final year on the condition of good behaviour. Cloake admitted his gambling was the root cause of the offence. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Fake 'immigration officer' jailed for duping victims out of €71k. Charges or matters: falsely representing himself as an immigration officer and, by deception, dishonestly inducing 10 people to pay him money at locations within the State, on dates between October 21, 2015 and February 10, 2017; possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct within the State between October 2, 2015 and September 20, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 21, 2015 Incident
- February 10, 2017 Incident
- October 2, 2015 Incident
- September 20, 2017 Incident
- July 2021 Adjournment
- 2015 and 2017 Other
- 2022-06-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: falsely representing himself as an immigration officer and, by deception, dishonestly inducing 10 people to pay him money at locations within the State, on dates between October 21, 2015 and February 10, 2017; possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct within the State between October 2, 2015 and September 20, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: After hearing evidence in July 2021, Judge Pauline Codd ordered a probation report and adjourned the matter.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Greenfort Crescent
Topics
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