Man who allowed his Revolut account to be used in phishing scam was 'foolish' and 'naïve'
These types of offences are common in courts because while the scammer is anonymous the Revolut account holder is not. Photo: Stock Image
A Ferrybank man has avoided a conviction after he allowed his Revolut account to be used to scam money from a Cork business owner.
Dariusz Ochocki (29), of 9 Laurel Court, Bellfield, Ferrybank, Waterford, pleaded guilty at Waterford District Court to money laundering contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 at Permanent TSB, Main St, Carrigaline, Cork on January 1, 2022.
The court was told that Mr Ochocki was one of a number of defendants charged in this incident.
Sergeant Michael Hickey told the court that on the day of the incident a business owner in Cork reported that €10,170 was taken from his PTSB account without authorisation.
The business owner had been contacted from someone purporting to be from his bank and requesting his codes.
Gardai tracked €1,900 to the defendant's Revolut account and arrested him.
The business owner was reimbursed by his bank, the court was told.
Sgt Hickey said that the defendant has three previous convictions, two for road traffic offences and one for possession of drugs with the intention to sell or supply.
Acting for the defendant solicitor Ken Cunningham said his client had been “unsuspectingly naïve” and “foolish”. He had disclosed his account details to a third party for a “modest payment”.
Mr Cunningham said his client was not associated with those behind the scam and has elected to plead guilty.
He pointed out that there are many of these cases before the various courts around the country, which take advantage of a “shortfall” in banking security.
Mr Cunningham said his client is an athlete, is finishing his degree at SETU, and is working.
His employer provided a reference for the court.
Judge John Brennan noted that the defendant had no previous convictions at the time of the offence and that he had pleaded guilty.
The judge also noted that he is a coach, is in education and that his role in the scam was “removed” from the main perpetrator.
The judge said that the defendant had three charges before the court in relation to this matter.
In the case of two of them, Judge Brennan applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act and struck out the third.
