Thursday 29 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. 10659Money laundering · Co. Louth · 23 Sep 2021

Woman sentenced to community service over bank account used in Dundalk smishing scam

On 23 September 2021 a man with a Bank of Ireland account in Dundalk, Co Louth, received a text message purporting to be from his bank, clicked a link, and was asked for his account code, after which €18,000 in his account was cleared out. The transfers were routed through the account of Fiona Preda, a 26-year-old woman, who had given her bank card to a friend who said the money was for Christmas; the victim complained at a garda station within an hour. Preda pleaded guilty to a money laundering offence at Dundalk Circuit Court and was sentenced to 160 hours community service, to be completed over 18 months, in lieu of a 16-month sentence. The sentencing was reported on 3 March 2026, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A woman whose bank account was used in a smishing scam was sentenced to 160 hours community service.
  • The victim's account, which held €18,000, was cleared out.
Where
The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court in Dundalk, County Louth.
When
The incident took place on 23 September 2021.
Cause
  • The victim received a text message purporting to be from his bank about suspicious activity on his account.
  • After clicking a link in the text message, the victim was asked for the code for his account.
  • A friend of the woman asked her for her bank card, saying it was to put money into the account for Christmas.
Other details
  • The bank refunded the victim in full and froze some of the transferred sums, leaving a loss of €3,140.
  • The guilty plea was accepted on the basis that she was reckless rather than knowing the money was proceeds of crime.
  • The woman had no previous convictions.
  • The woman paid €1,000 by way of restitution.
  • The woman is the main carer for her son and is pursuing a nine-month IT course.
Investigation
The victim made a complaint in person at a garda station within an hour.
Charges
The woman, Fiona Preda, pleaded guilty to a money laundering offence.
Sentence
Judge Dara Hayes imposed 160 hours community service to be completed over 18 months, in lieu of a 16-month sentence.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman whose bank account was used in a smishing scam was sentenced to 160 hours community service. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe victim's account, which held €18,000, was cleared out. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe bank refunded the victim in full and froze some of the transferred sums, leaving a loss of €3,140. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 23 September 2021. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe victim received a text message purporting to be from his bank about suspicious activity on his account. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe victim was asked for the code for his account after clicking a link in the text message. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe woman's friend asked her for her bank card to put money into the account for Christmas. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe victim made a complaint in person at a garda station within an hour. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe woman pleaded guilty to a money laundering offence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Dara Hayes imposed 160 hours community service to be completed over 18 months. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe woman had no previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe guilty plea was accepted on the basis that she was reckless rather than knowing the money was proceeds of crime. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe woman had €1,000 by way of restitution. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe woman is the main carer for her son and is pursuing a nine-month IT course. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Mar2026
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Woman's bank account was used as part of a smishing scam, Dundalk court heard

    Sentencing report for a specific case. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

    convicted, Fiona Preda, 26, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fiona Predavictim, male