‘Vishing and smishing’ defendant refused bail

A 57-YEAR-OLD man of Latvian nationality was remanded in custody at Monaghan District Court last week, after he was refused bail on three charges alleging he fraudulently obtained almost €17,000 from two separate injured parties through “vishing” and “smishing” (phone call and text) scams.

Dainis Grinfelds, with an address at Dublin Street, Monaghan Town, is facing two charges alleging that, on March 24, 2024, while in the county of Monaghan, he took possession, via electronic funds transfers, of sums of money coming to €2,222.48 and €5,000 respectively, both from the same alleged injured party and both contrary to the relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act, 2010.

It is also alleged that, on February 15, 2024, Grinfelds used similar methods to obtain €9,550.89 from a different party, also in contravention of the 2010 Act, and believing (or reckless as to whether or not) the funds were acquired through criminal conduct.

A Garda witness confirmed that the prosecution was opposing bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the sentences (of up to 14 years) that could be imposed upon a conviction. She said that funds had been received to An Post and Permanent TSB accounts held in the defendant’s name, and that the sums obtained came to €16,773.37 in total.

The court heard that these monies were secured via “vishing” and “smishing” scams, in which the injured parties had been led to believe they were in contact with genuine representatives of An Post and Vodafone, as a result of which they divulged information that led to their accounts being compromised.

The garda also outlined the strength of the case against Mr Grinfelds, together with several other factors that had been considered in arriving at the prosecution’s objections to bail.

Sergeant Lisa McEntee confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the case was to go forward to the Circuit Court for trial on indictment.

In deciding to refuse bail, Judge Finnegan told the defendant — who was representing himself in view of the ongoing solicitors’ dispute with the Justice Department — that he did not believe bail to be appropriate, given the seriousness of the charges.

Judge Finnegan remanded the defendant in custody to appear at the court again on September 21 by video link. He also certified for a Latvian interpreter.

When the defendant appearing by video link again last week, he was further remanded in custody to October 5, for service of a book of evidence in the case.

* This article was published with support from the Court Reporting Scheme