Courts / Dublin / Report
Trinity hardship fund defrauded of over €549k, court hears
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 25 April 2024, Jose Bejarano, aged 43, was handed a suspended 18‑month prison sentence for acting as a money mule in a scam that defrauded the Trinity College hardship fund of €6,800. The fund, which supports students in financial distress, had reported the fraud to the gardai in November 2021, and an investigation was ongoing. Bejarano provided his bank account details to a third party, and four payments totalling €6,800 were transferred to his account between April and May 2021. He withdrew the money and gave it to a third party, receiving €300–€400 in return. He had no prior convictions, cooperated with investigators, and claimed he acted in good faith, believing the security guard who requested the transfer was trustworthy. The judge noted the fund's loss and imposed the suspended sentence, taking his personal circumstances into account.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trinity hardship fund defrauded of over €549k, court hears. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-04-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: Jose Bejarano (43), who acted as a money mule allowing his bank account to be used as part of a scheme to defraud the fund, was today handed a suspended sentence. Bejarano, who has an address at the Academy, Park West, Co Dublin, was handed a suspended 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to handling or transferring the proceeds of crime.
Applicant
Outcome: Jose Bejarano (43), who acted as a money mule allowing his bank account to be used as part of a scheme to defraud the fund, was today handed a suspended sentence.
Places mentioned
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