Man managed to open 17 different bank accounts using fake ID

By Isabel Hayes

A man opened 17 different bank accounts using several fake IDs as part of his illegal money laundering activities for an organised crime group, a court has heard.

Gheorghe Gherge (35) of Dargle Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of using a false instrument and two counts of money laundering at various locations within the State on dates between June 2016 and April 2019.

He has two previous convictions from the UK for similar offences. He was extradited from the UK in 2021 after serving a sentence for those crimes and has been in custody ever since.

Detective Garda Stephen Kelly of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today/yesterday (TUES) that in 2019 and 2020, gardaí were involved in a large-scale investigation of organised crime and money laundering.

As part of this investigation, a number of  accounts connected to Gherghe were uncovered. Gardaí uncovered that Gherghe opened 17 different bank accounts between 2016 and 2019 under eight different names, using false identity documents.

About €570,000 in funds that were received “as a result of criminal activity” came into these accounts, the court heard. This included a scheme whereby fraudsters set up a website purporting to sell farm equipment.

Victims of this fraud paid for items, such as €11,700 for a tractor, which they then never received, Eoghan Cole BL, prosecuting, told the court.

A total of €670,000 was money laundered out of the accounts connected to Gherghe, with evidence he made a number of withdrawals, the court heard.

Dominic McGinn SC, defending, said his client was not personally enriched from his role in the crime. He said Gherghe was acting on the instruction of others, did not have a controlling influence in the activity and his role was limited to opening bank accounts and making some withdrawals.

Mr McGinn said there was no evidence Gherghe was aware of the wider criminality involved and there was no evidence of the level of financial reward he was receiving.

“It's not the prosecution case that he was profiting enormously,” defence counsel said.

The court heard Gherghe is the father of a young child with health issues and he is anxious to return home to his native Romania to be involved in this child's life.

Judge Dara Hayes adjourned the matter for finalisation next Monday, December 19.