MAN IS HELD OVER €250K FRAUD RAPS
Money laundering and fake ID charge
A ROMANIAN man accused of money laundering €250,000 in alleged crime proceeds through bank accounts in Ireland has been remanded in custody.
Alexandru Robert Olteanu, 25, was arrested at Dublin Airport on Friday after he was detained on a European Arrest Warrant in Romania and extradited.
He is charged with 11 counts of money laundering.
Olteanu, of no fixed abode here but with an address in Middlesex, England, is also charged with 14 counts of using false ID to set up companies and one charge of theft.
He appeared before Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court on Saturday morning, where Detective Garda Ciaran Ronan applied for a remand in custody.
Det Ronan said he based his objections to bail on flight risk, lack of ties to the jurisdiction and because Olteanu was arrested on an EAW in Romania.
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) detective told Judge Malone the accused made no reply when charged at the Bridewell Garda station.
The Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment, meaning the case would be heard in the circuit court.
The accused listened to the proceedings with an interpreter and spoke only to confirm he had legal representation.
Defence barrister Kevin Mccrave said there was no application or bail.
A legal aid application was also deferred for a statement of means to be provided. Judge Malone remanded Olteanu in custody pending the preparation of evidence to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.
GNECB led an investigation into fraudulent selling on second-hand websites across Europe and the laundering of the proceeds of these crimes through a network of bank accounts opened by using false identities.
It is thought €22million has been stolen from victims across Europe by this criminal organisation, with more than €6million laundered through bank accounts in Ireland.
Another man was charged last week with related offences and remanded in custody. He is due in court on February 17. Gardai are also still hunting a man and a woman as part of their operation.