Courts / Dublin / Report

Court hears of €500k An Post 'smishing' scam

Date
2025-10-31
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a court hearing on 31 October 2025, the court heard that Brandon Abrahams, aged 33, had participated in organised crime money laundering and benefited from a €500,000 An Post smishing scam. Garda National Economic Crime Bureau officers raided his home in September 2024 and found a laptop with thousands of Excel spreadsheets containing debit card information from around the world. Abrahams had produced sophisticated fake UK driving licences and utility bills under various aliases, using them to open accounts at An Post, the Credit Union and other financial institutions. He sold some of these accounts to other fraudsters. A total of €147,230 moved through his accounts during the relevant period. Abrahams pleaded guilty to one count of participating in a criminal organisation under section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, and to nine further offences including money laundering, possession of proceeds of crime and possession of a false instrument.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court hears of €500k An Post 'smishing' scam. Charges or matters: one count of participating or contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006; a further nine offences including money laundering, possessing proceeds of crime and possessing a false instrument. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Brandon Abrahams

Defendant

Charges: one count of participating or contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006; a further nine offences including money laundering, possessing proceeds of crime and possessing a false instrument (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Abrahams was due to be sentenced today but Judge Martina Baxter adjourned the matter to March 9th next year for finalisation.; Abrahams was due to be sentenced today but Judge Martina Baxter adjourned the matter to March 9th next year for finalisation.

Places mentioned

Residence

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence

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