It's been a busy day for fraud. City of London Police are investigating a €56 million mortgage fraud in London in which Allied Irish Bank were hit. It certainly makes the figures for mortgage fraud given to the Irish Fraud Bureau by the banks look pretty light on reality. At least my one blog subscriber can say: "He told me so."
Back in Dublin three car-dealers and a tax official were charged at Tallaght District Court over tax dodging on imported cars - this is a story that has legs (as they say in the business). Those charged are Lee Cullen, Richard Mockler and John Dunne along with taxman Gerard Blaney.
As if that's not enough Customs seized eight million cigarettes worth €3.2 million at a warehouse in Carrick-on-Suir, in a surveillance operation. The container of Benson and Hedges cigarettes originated in China and was shipped through Dublin port. If the Government raises taxes on cigarettes as expected in the up-coming budget then the smugglers and counterfeiters are going to make even more money.
Finally, old Tom the Con is back in front of the judge. Tom O'Loughlin, made famous by an afternoon radio talk show, Liveline on RTE1, was back up to his old tricks. The small-time grifter used to stay in hotels and bounce cheques and became a minor celebrity as listeners phoned in about his latest caper and his whereabouts. He was in Dublin Circuit Court today charged with taking deposits for an apartment from two foreign nationals. Tom has 41 previous convictions, mostly for fraud and will be sentenced next month. His defence lawyer mentioned that Tom was the primary carer for his ill girlfriend. The judge said that he was written confirmation of this as the woman "could be a figment of our imagination" considering Tom's track record. Wise judge.
Labels: AIB, cigarettes, Lee Cullen, London, Mortgage fraud, Tom the Con
