A man is to return before Tralee Circuit Court with a plan to repay nearly €10,000 he stole as part of a smishing fraud.
31-year-old, Algerian national, Aissa Hellali of Atlas House, McCowan’s Lane in Tralee pleaded guilty to a single count under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act.
He appeared before Judge Ronan Munro on the charge that on the 13th September 2021 he acquired the proceeds of crime.
A victim received a scam text message, which he mistakenly believed to be a genuine communication from Bank of Ireland.
Smishing is a type of digital attack whereby deceptive text messages are used to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, bank details, or credit card numbers, or into downloading malicious software, so that money can be stolen from their account.
The victim provided such details and a sum equivalent to €9,500 was taken from his account.
This money was then paid electronically into Mr Hellali’s account; from which he then made several withdrawals.
Mr Hellali was detained and questioned by An Garda Síochana.
Garda Sergeant Nigel Shevlin of Tralee Garda Station gave evidence that Mr Hellali had been cooperative and had provided the name of the second party who had orchestrated the smishing fraud.
Prosecuting barrister Tom Rice said that Mr Hellali had acted as a money mule and that the organising culprits were not before the court.
Judge Ronan Munro heard that Mr Hellali had not given any of the money back.
The judge said that, despite cooperating with the Gardaí, just saying sorry was “asking for a custodial sentence”.
However, he said he wanted to give Mr Hellali a chance to propose a realistic plan to repay the victim, and that he didn't want the accused engaging in smishing again in order to repay the debt.
Judge Ronan Munro will let Mr Hellali present his proposal in court on the 13th January (2026).
