Lonely women across Europe tricked by ‘doctor in Damascus’ in Limerick romance fraud

LIMERICK was at the epicentre of a European-wide romance fraud which conned lonely women out of over €100,000, the circuit court has heard.

One woman fell foul of a “doctor”, supposedly helping sick children in a Syrian orphanage, who promised to marry her.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan said it is a “very distressing experience” for victims of romance fraud.

Teddy Osayi, aged 31, of Mona Terrace, St Lelia Street, Limerick pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in 2021.

Mr O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Liam Kearns, Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.

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Mr O’Sullivan said there were a total of 12 women scammed from countries including Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, Austria, Poland, United Kingdom, Ukraine and Hungary. These women paid a total of €109,888.21 in 46 separate transactions into Mr Osayi’s Bank of Ireland account in Limerick.

The prosecuting barrister said only one woman, a Hungarian lady in her 60s, made a statement to gardai. The other victims of the romance fraud didn’t wish to make a complaint or made a complaint but did not wish to pursue it.

Mr O’Sullivan said in the case of the Hungarian lady, a “doctor” added her as a friend on Facebook in March 2021.

“This lady replied back, saying she was curious to see what would happen. They started sending messages on Facebook Messenger. He wrote in English which she translated with Google Translate. He said he would like to meet her. They wrote to each other several times a day. 

“He said he was a doctor from the United States, who was helping sick children in an orphanage in a military camp in Damascus. He claimed he had no telephone,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The “doctor” said his money was locked up in Ireland and he couldn't get access to it. He asked her  to transfer $9,000. 

“She did not have that amount of money so she transferred $2,000. It was transferred in May 2021 to an account number in the name of the accused in Limerick. A few days later the ‘doctor’ said he received the transfer but thought it was too little. He asked for more as it was the only way he could access his money so she transferred another $2,000,” said Mr O’Sullivan. The “doctor” sent the woman “love messages”, promised to travel to Hungary and marry her.

Mr O’Sullivan said the victim was impressed by what he wrote and would be happy if the promises were true. However, as the “doctor” continued to ask her for more money she realised she was being deceived and taken advantage of.

Mr O’Sullivan said the garda investigation identified 11 other women from around Europe who paid a total of €109,888.21 into Mr Osayi’s bank account.

The barrister said once the money was lodged in the account it was immediately withdrawn in cash or transferred, leaving very little in the account which bears “all the hallmarks of money laundering”.

“He allowed his account to be used as the conduit for the proceeds of criminal conduct,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who added that romance frauds became particularly common during the Covid pandemic when people retreated into their  homes, found themselves isolated and were candidates for romance fraud.

When Mr Osayi was arrested by gardai he denied any involvement in romance fraud but admitted withdrawing cash. The court heard cash was brought to an African shop in Limerick where it was transferred to Nigeria. Monies were also sent to Belgium and Turkey.

Patrick Whyms BL, who represented Mr Osayi, said there is no evidence to say his client was involved in the romance fraud but he did allow money to pass through his account.

The defence barrister told the court Mr Osayi said he met a man at a reception centre who asked him to use his account for  transferring money.

“He agrees it was reckless. He doesn’t have any trappings of wealth,” said Mr Whyms, who used the expression “money mule”. 

Mr Whyms said his client’s family moved to Spain when he was 12 and he came to Ireland when he was 18. 

“He lived at first in a reception centre seeking asylum. After that he got an apartment in Limerick. He graduated in Construction Management and Engineering in   UL in 2023. He works as a site engineer for a company building homes.

“He effectively gained nothing from it (money laundering). He is very sorry and wishes to apologise for his behaviour,” said Mr Whyms. 

Judge Colin Daly imposed a prison sentence of three years and nine months which he suspended in full for a period of four years.