Teenager under influence of man given suspended sentence for money laundering

Sonya McLean

A teenager who was under the influence of a man when she allowed her bank account to be used to launder cash gained through invoice redirect fraud has been given a suspended sentence.

Steadfast Akhigne (24) was 18 years old when she provided her bank card and PIN to a man, described in court as “more involved in criminality” than she was at the time. The court heard that a total of just under €100,000 was later lodged in her account.

Akhigne (24) of Bremore Castle, Balbriggan, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of money laundering on dates in December 2019.

The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) accepted Akhigne’s pleas on the basis of recklessness. She had initially denied the charges and was due to go on trial.

Sergeant John Sheehy told Emer Ní Chúagáin BL, prosecuting, that a man who was at the snag stage of building his home was due to make a final payment of just over €9,000 to his builders when he received a bogus email purporting to be from the company.

The court heard that the email appeared legitimate as it carried the correct logo and other details but the bank account details supplied for payment were that of Akhigne.

The man transferred the funds and was later contacted by the bank who felt the transaction was suspicious. They advised the man to confirm with the company that the payment had been received.

By the time the fraud was uncovered, the money had been spent. The man was later fully compensated by the bank.

The second fraud was very similar and involved again a very legitimate-looking email being provided by a supplier to a company. The supplied advised the company that they had changed their bank account and the account details supplied were that of Akhigne. A total of just over €91,150 was transferred.

Sgt Sheehy confirmed that some of those funds were recovered but there was an outstanding loss of €28,634.

PIN number

The bank account was traced back to Akhigne and she was arrested and interviewed. She admitted she had given her bank card and PIN number to this man. She was told she would be “looked after” but she received no payment for her role and no particular sum of money was ever mentioned to her.

Sgt Sheehy said Akhigne was present during some of the withdrawals from her account and also signed for the purchase of high end mobile phones. She was provided with a false passport for this purpose.

Sgt Sheehy agreed with Seán Rafter BL, defending, that Akhigne was at all times respectful and co-operative with the garda investigation. It was acknowledged that she was not involved in either fraud and she has no previous convictions.

It was further accepted that she has a “a lower level of culpability” than the other man “who would be much more involved of criminality” than her.

Akhigne had written a letter for the court, expressing the remorse and guilt she feels for her role in the offence. There was also a letter from her pastor that counsel said “speaks of her character and personal circumstances”.

Mr Rafter asked the court to accept that his client has “taken responsibility for her actions” and that the offence was “not a true reflection of her character”. She is currently working and has “worked hard to change her life around,” counsel submitted.

Judge Orla Crowe said it was an unusual case as it involved two different frauds which she said involved “very elaborate and sophisticated emails”.

She acknowledged that initial fraud was “clearly not her doing” but said she accompanied the other man while he bought the phones and was present when cash was withdrawn so she played “an active role”.

Judge Crowe acknowledged that this other man was “much more involved” and that Akhigne was “under the influence of this person”.

She accepted that Akhigne is “pro-social” now, contributes to society and has raised money for charity.

Judge Crowe said that these frauds cannot happen without people like Akhigne allowing their bank accounts to be used before she imposed a 12 month sentence which she suspended in full on strict conditions.