Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 15348Handling proceeds of criminal conduct (money mule) · Co. Longford · 24 May 2022

Longford man faces charge of handling proceeds of smishing fraud

Between May 24 and May 25, 2022, €19,180 was removed from the account of Terrance O'Dowd, a retired firefighter, after he received a text message purporting to be from his bank. The money was transferred to the bank account of Anis Lawal, a 20-year-old man, who has been charged with handling property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct and who the court was told has no previous convictions. At a court hearing reported on November 29, 2024, Judge Connolly remanded Mr Lawal on bail to the January sitting of Longford Circuit Court to assess his suitability for restorative justice. His further sentence hearing is set for January 16.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Mr O'Dowd received a text message purporting to be from his bank warning of unusual activity on his account.
  • Three transactions removed €19,180 from Mr O'Dowd's account.
  • Key facts say the money was transferred to Mr Lawal's bank account, while the charge refers to €19,180 credited to a Permanent TSB account in Mr O'Dowd's name.
Where
The case is from County Longford.
When
The offence is alleged to have taken place between May 24 and May 25, 2022.
Investigation
  • Mr O'Dowd, a retired firefighter, contacted gardaí after being the victim of a smishing scam.
  • Gardaí executed a search warrant at Mr Lawal's home, found no trappings of wealth and seized a mobile phone and a Money Jar card.
Charges
Anis Lawal faces a charge of handling property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct.
In court
  • The court was told Mr Lawal has no previous convictions.
  • Judge Connolly remanded Mr Lawal on bail to the January sitting of Longford Circuit Court to assess his suitability for the restorative justice programme.
Sentence
A further sentence hearing for Mr Lawal is set for January 16.
Other details
  • Mr Lawal was described as showing all the signs of a money mule after giving his bank account details to a third party.
  • Mr Lawal was cooperative at all times.
  • The bank reimbursed the funds to Mr O'Dowd.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victim received a text message purporting to be from his bank warning of unusual activity on his account. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThree transactions removed €19,180 from the victim's account. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe money was transferred to the bank account of Mr Lawal. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offence is alleged to have happened between May 24 and May 25, 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were contacted by the victim, a retired firefighter, who had been the victim of a smishing scam. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA search warrant was executed on Mr Lawal's home. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found no trappings of wealth but seized a mobile phone and a Money Jar card. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeAnis Lawal faces a charge of handling property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe court was told the defendant had no previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Connolly remanded Mr Lawal on bail to the January sitting of Longford Circuit Court to assess his suitability for the restorative justice programme. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtMr Lawal was remanded on bail to January 16 for a further sentence hearing. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defendant was described as showing all the signs of a money mule. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defendant was cooperative at all times. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe bank reimbursed the funds to the victim. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Nov2024
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford court hears money mule is 'suffering consequences' of trying 'to make a quick euro'

    First report of the court appearance. Adds details of the smishing scam, the money mule's role, the garda investigation, the victim impact statement, and the bail and restorative justice directions.

    accused, Anis Lawal, 20, male, namedAnis Lawalvictim, Terrance O'Dowd, male, irish (judged from name)Terrance O'Dowd