Courts / Dublin / Report
Scammer shocked after being jailed for smishing fraud on PTSB customers
Summary
A 28‑year‑old Irish national, Iskilu Awolumate, was sentenced to 18 months in jail, with the final year suspended, for his role in a large‑scale smishing fraud that targeted Permanent TSB customers. The court heard that between March 2020 and January 2021 he handled €25,800 that had been transferred from 22 affected accounts, though only three victims were identified. Awolumate's account was used to move the money, and Garda evidence suggested he was not merely a mule but part of a wider operation. He had previously moved to the Netherlands, where he works as an engineer, and had been contacted by Gardaí 13 times before surrendering to Tallaght Garda Station. He claimed he was coerced and feared for his safety. The judge noted the operation was "large‑scale" and that the money could not be accounted for by ordinary work. Iskilu Awolumate pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Scammer shocked after being jailed for smishing fraud on PTSB customers. Charges or matters: handling the proceeds of crime at an unknown location on dates between March 2020 and January 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-03-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: handling the proceeds of crime at an unknown location on dates between March 2020 and January 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Iskilu Awolumate exclaimed when he was handed the 18-month sentence, to which Judge Elva Duffy replied: "I'm afraid you are going to lose your home." Dublin Circuit Criminal Court had heard evidence that Awolumate was not just a mere money mule. She sentenced Awolumate to two-and-a-half-years with the final year suspended.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- presented himself to Tallaght Garda Station
- Tallaght
Topics
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