Laois woman used as ‘pawn’ in smishing scam

A woman who admitted money laundering was described as a ‘pawn’ in court. 

Linda Dunne (22) with an address at second house past Brookview, Davitt Road, Mountmellick, pleaded guilty to laundering €1,934.23 at a location within the State on December 8, 2023. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the matter was investigated by Detective Sgt Siobhan Moore. He said the woman “acted as a mule” by providing her Revolut account details to a third party. 

Sgt Kirby said the injured party has been reimbursed by PTSB. “Ms Dunne stated she was used as a pawn,” he said. He said the defendant had no previous convictions. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was approached by people and provided her account details. He said the injured party received a “smishing” text message and clicked the link before funds were taken from their account and transferred into the accused’s account before being forwarded to another account. He said his client was “extremely naive”. 

Judge Susan Fay ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on April 20.