Man gave bank details to stranger over Snapchat
A man who gave his bank details to a third party over Snapchat, and allowed his account to be used in the theft of over €5,000, is due to reappear in court in November.
John Mulvihill (22), with an address in Rindoon Park, Coosan, Athlone, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Athlone District Court recently, where he was charged with and pleaded guilty to a money laundering offence.
On a date between January 25 and January 26, 2024, at Permanent TSB, Athlone, Mr Mulvihill engaged in the possession or using of property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely €5,158 credited to his account, while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether or not the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.
The charge falls under various parts of section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
The court heard how, on February 3, 2024, Gardaí in Midleton, Co Cork, received a report from a man who had received a text claiming to be from Three Ireland, stating that his account would be closed if an outstanding bill was not settled.
He believed the text to be genuine and clicked the link to pay the bill. Not long afterwards, he received a call from his bank questioning a sum of €5,158, which had been transferred from his account to another.
Investigations traced the account back to Mr Mulvihill who, when questioned by Gardaí, admitted to allowing his account to be used in the scam.
He said he had received a number of Snapchat messages from an unknown account, and agreed to hand over his bank details in exchange for a payment of €100. The other party has not been identified.
The money was then taken out of Mr Mulvihill’s account via two withdrawals of €700 and €708, and one bank transfer of €3750.
The injured party’s account has been reimbursed by Permanent TSB, making the bank the new injured party.
Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction and noted Mr Mulvihill’s lack of previous conditions, as well as his plea of guilt.
Mark Cooney, defending, told the court that Mr Mulvihill lives with his mother and is on social welfare, but he takes up part time construction work wherever he can get it. He said he would be able to come up with €2,500 if given time to do so.
Judge Owens ordered a probation report and remanded Mr Mulvihill on bail to November 5, 2025