Granny jailed over fraud

A GRANDMOTHER will spend the next two months behind bars for her part in an international money laundering operation, in which she transferred more than $52,000 into the bank account of her fake online lover.

Judith Dorothy Sweeney, 67, pleaded guilty to two charges of dealing with money, reckless to the fact it was proceeds of crime. Between July and August 2020, Sweeney had been chatting online with a person who claimed to be an Australian soldier who was based overseas. She gave her online lover her banking details, and that was when she began receiving payments from businesses that thought they were paying legitimate invoices.

She forwarded the money to an overseas account, supposedly owned by her internet love interest, who told her they needed help transferring the money.

During that time, she transferred $4000 into the scammer’s account.

Police told Sweeney that the social media profile used by the “soldier” was fake, told her to stop, and warned her that she was “effectively laundering money,” but that did not stop her. Commonwealth prosecutor Chris Moore said Sweeny said she knew the money was likely stolen but she had “enjoyed the attention” from the online scammer.

Mr Moore told magistrate Viviana Keegan this showed “recklessness, not just negligence” in Sweeney’s actions.

Between October 2020 and February 2021, Sweeney had opened a second bank account and transferred $48,670 to the scammer, and told police the profile holder had promised her they’d cover her legal costs.

“(She) assisted in the movement of more than $50,000 in a relatively short amount of time … her conduct demonstrates a denial of reality in that the person she was in love with doesn’t exist,” Mr Moore said.

He said as far as he knew, none of the money had been recovered, and a term of imprisonment was appropriate.

Ms Keegan said it was concerning police had spoken with Sweeney twice, but she had continued to act as a mule in a money laundering enterprise.

In arguing Sweeney’s defence, lawyer Troydon Maltby said she had not been motivated by greed but by her perceived emotional connection to the scammer. “She was encouraged to go online dating by her son, to help her find a relationship. She met this person or whoever this entity was who encouraged her to take part in this conduct,” Mr Maltby said.

He said Sweeney had not benefited financially in any way, and she had no criminal history.

“From my understanding, she formed a connection with this person, something she hadn’t felt for some time, longed for, and looked forward to that contact.”

Ms Keegan acknowledged Sweeney’s previous relationship history, and said it was “quite clear” she wasn’t committing the offences for the money.

“There are real victims here who have lost money, and may have suffered hardship in replacing the money,” Ms Keegan said.

She said it was concerning that Sweeney had ignored warnings from police and had gone on to launder a greater amount of money.

Sweeney was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, and will serve two months before entering a $1000 recognisance and two-year good behaviour bond.