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Money mules avoid jail for role in romance frauds
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, two defendants, David O'Brien (22) and Elisabeth Bello (50), received suspended sentences for acting as money mules in a romance fraud that defrauded an 85‑year‑old pensioner of €27,000. The victim was deceived by a woman posing as a divorced American mother on Match.com, who persuaded him to purchase iTunes gift cards, transfer €2,800 to a solicitor for an "anti‑money laundering certificate," and pay €24,516.13 in storage fees. The victim's funds were moved into O'Brien's AIB account and later into Bello's account. Both defendants pleaded guilty to handling or processing proceeds of crime. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced O'Brien to one year and Bello to two years, suspending both on the condition of good behaviour and peacekeeping. No further convictions or outcomes are mentioned in the article.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Money mules avoid jail for role in romance frauds. Charges or matters: handling or processing the proceeds of crime on August 17, 2020; handling or processing the proceeds of crime on dates between July 16 and July 20, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 20, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 17, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 16 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 18 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-11-06 Publication
Why: In July she asked him to transfer €2,800 to a Tipperary-based solicitor in order to obtain an "anti-money laundering certificate" in anticipation of releasing the funds from Dubai. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: handling or processing the proceeds of crime on August 17, 2020; handling or processing the proceeds of crime on dates between July 16 and July 20, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Crowe sentenced O'Brien to a prison term of one year and Bello to two years.
Co Accused
Charges: handling or processing the proceeds of crime on August 17, 2020; handling or processing the proceeds of crime on dates between July 16 and July 20, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) Two people who acted as "money mules" as part of a "romance fraud" on a pensioner who was conned out of €27,000 have received suspended sentences. Judge Crowe sentenced O'Brien to a prison term of one year and Bello to two years.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- by detectives at Tipperary Garda Station
- Tipperary
Topics
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