‘Money mule’ avoids jail

Woman, 64, involved in money laundering scam

A TOOWOOMBA woman who became a “money mule” for criminals who she allowed to launder money through her bank accounts has narrowly avoided actual jail time.

Despite having no criminal history, vision impaired 64year-old Patrizia Grazie Zaninello was sentenced to two years in jail but the term was wholly suspended for two years.

So close was she in going to jail that Crown prosecutor Emily Coley told the court her office had checked with the Brisbane Women’s Prison who confirmed a guide dog could be accommodated at the jail.

Zaninello had met a person or group of persons going by the name of “Edgar” through an internet chat room in February 2018, Toowoomba District Court heard.

Having befriended her, “Edgar” arranged for money to be deposited into Zaninello’s account which she then transferred or withdrew, Ms Coley said.

Ms Coley said police alerted to the transfers spoke with Zaninello, advising her she was being used as a money mule and to cease her activities or face criminal charges.

Despite the warning, three days later after $228,453 was deposited into Zaninello’s bank account, she transferred $135,000 and withdrew $56,570 in cash.

Judge Katherine McGuinness said there was no evidence before her to say where that cash had ended up.

Zaninello told police “Edgar” had assured her that all was legitimate.

Zaninello pleaded guilty to knowingly laundering money.

Her barrister Wes Seewald told the court his client had sustained an acquired brain injury in a traffic crash in 2004 which had left her virtually blind and with hearing loss.

She had been lonely and had used the chat room for friendship only to be manipulated by those using the site for the scam, he said.

Judge McGuinness said she did not accept the offending was just a “stupid mistake” and that she had seriously considered sending Zaninello to jail.

“I hope you appreciate how close you came to going to prison today,” she told her.

However, taking into account her difficulties and lack of criminal history, Judge McGuinness sentenced Zaninello to two years in jail but ordered the whole term be suspended forwith.