Young Ferrybank man jailed for phishing scam
Balogun used the money to buy 'high value items' at Harvey Norman retailer.
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for money laundering involving up to €30,000.
Derek Balogun, of The Lawns, Clover Meadows, Ferrybank, committed the crimes on both August 8, 2022 and May 26, 2023.
The victim of the first offence discovered that €15,000 had been removed from their Ulster Bank account. The money was transferred into Balogun's Bank of Ireland account. He went on to spend €10,000 at retailer Harvey Norman.
In the second offence, the victim was targeted by a phishing scam, whereby they were contacted by phone by a source claiming to be their bank.
Balogun appeared in Court via video link and read a letter of apology to Judge Eugene O'Kelly, with a plea for leniency.
Judge O'Kelly noted the uptick in "money mule" crimes, saying: "This court has to issue a heavy message to young people."
