Ireland Trial to go ahead in €355k alleged 'romance fraud' case
Ayo Egbon, a 37-year-old man of Broomhill House, Swords Road, Dublin, has been charged under money-laundering legislation over alleged possession of crime proceeds from a so-called romance fraud, with offences allegedly taking place from February 2017 to February 2020 and an additional offence from 2 to 14 July 2021. The alleged injured party is from Finland, and the case followed a Garda National Economic Crime Bureau investigation. Charges total €355,472, made up of €255,472 in a Permanent TSB account and €100,000 at Fire Financial Services in Dublin 1. On 7 January 2025 Judge Deirdre Gearty at Dublin District Court sent the case for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where it is listed for mention on 27 February.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Jan
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ayo Egbon, 37, a father of three, is charged under money-laundering legislation.
- Where
- He lives at Broomhill House, Swords Road, Dublin.
- When
- The offences are alleged to have taken place from February 2017 until February 2020.
- An additional offence is alleged to have taken place from 2 to 14 July 2021.
- Cause
- The proceeds are described as coming from a romance fraud against an alleged injured party from Finland.
- Investigation
- The case followed a Garda National Economic Crime Bureau investigation.
- Charges
- He was initially charged with acquiring, possessing, using or converting €255,472 in a Permanent TSB account, knowing or reckless to it being proceeds of crime.
- He was additionally charged with possessing or transferring €100,000 in crime proceeds at Fire Financial Services LTD, CHQ Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1.
- The total is reported as €355,472 in the charges and as €355,000 in the headline.
- In court
- Judge Deirdre Gearty at Dublin District Court granted a return-for-trial order, sending the case to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 7 January 2025.
- The DPP directed trial on indictment at a higher level with wider sentencing powers.
- The case is listed for mention on 27 February.
- Free legal aid, including junior and senior counsel, was granted on application by defence barrister Kevin McCrave.
- As bail conditions, he must reside at the address given, must not use internet dating or matchmaking sites, and must surrender his passport and not apply for alternative travel documents.
- Other details
- He had already lost his employment in relation to the matters, and was previously described as a learner truck driver.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAyo Egbon is 37 years old and lives at Broomhill House, Swords Road, Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe is a father of three (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was previously described as a learner truck driver (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences allegedly took place from February 2017 until February 2020 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe additional offence took place from July 2 to 14, 2021 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe case follows a Garda National Economic Crime Bureau investigation (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged under money-laundering legislation (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was initially charged with acquiring, possessing, using, or converting €255,472 in a Permanent TSB account knowing or reckless to it being proceeds of crime (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was additionally charged with possessing or transferring €100,000 in crime proceeds at Fire Financial Services LTD CHQ Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Deirdre Gearty at Dublin District Court granted a return-for-trial order sending the case to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case will be listed for mention on February 27 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment at a higher level with wider sentencing powers (irishmirror.ie)
- courtFree legal aid including junior and senior counsel was granted on application by defence barrister Kevin McCrave (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe must reside at the address given and not go on any internet dating or matchmaking sites (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe had to surrender his passport and must not apply for alternative travel documents (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe had already lost employment in relation to the matters (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe proceeds were described as being from romance fraud (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe alleged injured party was from Finland (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Jan2025Trial to go ahead in €355k alleged 'romance fraud' case
Reports that Ayo Egbon was sent forward for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (listed for mention 27 February) on two money-laundering charges totalling €355,472 in crime proceeds from a romance fraud, with the DPP directing trial on indictment. Bail conditions include a ban on dating websites and surrender of passport.
accused, Ayo Egbon, 37, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ayo Egbonvictim, non-irish (judged from name)