Ireland Case No. 10136Money laundering · Co. Limerick
Man given suspended sentence over Limerick money laundering linked to romance fraud
In 2021, 12 women from several European countries, including a Hungarian woman in her 60s who made a statement to gardaí, paid €109,888.21 in 46 transactions into a Bank of Ireland account in Limerick, in a romance fraud centred in the city. The account holder, Teddy Osayi, 31, of Limerick, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in 2021. At the Circuit Court, Judge Colin Daly imposed a sentence of three years and nine months, suspended in full for four years. Reporting on the sentence is dated 8 April 2026, and the article text gives publication as 10 April 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced8 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A romance fraud conned lonely women across Europe out of over €100,000.
- Twelve women from several European countries were scammed.
- The women paid €109,888.21 in 46 separate transactions into Teddy Osayi's Bank of Ireland account in Limerick.
- Where
- The romance fraud was centred in Limerick.
- Cause
- The fraud used a person posing as a doctor helping sick children in an orphanage, who promised to marry one victim.
- When
- The transfers to the account were made in 2021.
- Reporting on the sentence is dated 8 April 2026, while the article text gives publication as 10 April 2026.
- Investigation
- The garda investigation identified 11 other women from around Europe who paid money into the account.
- Only one victim, a Hungarian woman in her 60s, made a statement to gardaí.
- Charges
- Teddy Osayi, 31, of Limerick, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in 2021.
- In court
- The case was heard at the Circuit Court, where the prosecution said the account showed all the hallmarks of money laundering.
- Other details
- The defence said there was no evidence the accused was involved in the romance fraud, and the accused agreed that allowing his account to be used was reckless.
- Sentence
- Judge Colin Daly imposed a prison sentence of three years and nine months, suspended in full for four years.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe romance fraud conned lonely women out of over €100,000. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatTwelve women were scammed from several European countries. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatThe women paid a total of €109,888.21 in 46 separate transactions into the accused's Bank of Ireland account in Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe romance fraud was centred in Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe transfers to the accused's account were made in 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationThe garda investigation identified 11 other women from around Europe who paid money into the accused's account. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe accused pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Colin Daly imposed a prison sentence of three years and nine months, suspended in full for four years. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherOnly one victim, a Hungarian woman in her 60s, made a statement to gardaí. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe prosecution said the account showed all the hallmarks of money laundering. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe defence said there was no evidence the accused was involved in the romance fraud. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe accused agreed that allowing his account to be used was reckless. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Apr2026Lonely women across Europe tricked by ‘doctor in Damascus’ in Limerick romance fraud
Sentencing report for a Circuit Court case. It sets out the romance fraud behind the laundering, the 12 women affected, the 2021 transfers, and a suspended sentence of three years and nine months for four years.
convicted, Teddy Osayi, 31, male, namedTeddy Osayivictim, 60s, female, Hungarian, non-irish