Courts / Kildare / Report
Housewife who fell victim to 'US soldier' romance fraud avoids jail
Summary
Mary O'Sullivan, a 52‑year‑old housewife from Ballymakealy Grove, Celbridge, was involved in an €65,000 online fraud after she set up a bank account for a man she believed to be a US soldier. The account was used to transfer the proceeds of an invoice‑redirection scam carried out by criminals. O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to money laundering on the basis of recklessness. The court noted her vulnerability, low intellectual ability and emotional state during a marital breakdown, and that she did not understand the fraud was occurring. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended in full, citing her low culpability and the lack of prior convictions. No jail term was imposed, and the case highlighted the victim's loss of over €65,000, with some assets seized in Nigeria but no recovery of the money.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Housewife who fell victim to 'US soldier' romance fraud avoids jail. Charges or matters: money laundering on the basis of recklessness at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on April 8, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 8, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-06-28 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: money laundering on the basis of recklessness at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on April 8, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said criminals had hacked the injured party's account and enticed her to pay money into O'Sullivan's account, which was then dispersed. Judge Nolan said it would be unjust to imprison her by reason of her vulnerabilities and imposed a two-year sentence, which he suspended in full.
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