Scammer (23) jailed for trying to buy BMWs using fake screenshots of bank transfers

Tom Tuite

A swindler has been jailed after he targeted car dealerships in Cork and Wicklow to acquire BMWs valued at approximately €164,000.

Callum Kearney (23), who posed as an interested buyer, received a three-year sentence with 21 months suspended. His method involved creating and sending Photoshopped images to mimic bank transfer confirmations.

Sentencing, Judge Keenan Johnson remarked that the accused had expensive tastes in cars and demonstrated ingenuity.

Kearney, already serving a 27-month sentence for deception offences, pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to theft and attempted motor theft and was due to be released in June.

Judge Johnson said that the accused, who has been studying criminology in custody, had demonstrated ingenuity and had a huge interest in cars.

Detective Garda Mark O’Riordain from the stolen motor vehicle investigation unit told the court that on November 14th, 2023, Kearney called Ashford Motors in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, looking to buy two BMWs valued at €89,950 and €54,950.

Kearney, from Highfield, Ballincollig, Co Cork, furnished the dealer with his details and sent phone screenshots to show bank transfers, but the money was not received, and he did not get the cars.

Six days later, he went to CMC Car Sales in Mallow to view a BMW priced at €28,950 and sent a screenshot of the pending payment as he took it for a test drive and failed to return.

He put fake registration plates on the car, which was later located in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

Detective Garda O’Riordain went to a house and saw the car parked outside.

He agreed with prosecutor Cathal Ó Braonáin BL, instructed by the State solicitor for Westmeath, Matt Shaw, that the accused gave a different name and claimed he had the car for three of four years.

The detective arrested Kearney, who then admitted the crime, and that he had a buyer ready to pay €15,000 for part of the engine.

Kearney also owned up to his attempt to take the other two BMWs and revealed he had “a buyer lined up” to pay €50,000 for one of them.

The court heard how he learned how to use Photoshop software to make images of bank transfers using the same font and colour as AIB.

In mitigation, the defence said Kearney, who had 41 prior convictions, had “an avid interest in cars” and was not involved in substance abuse.

The court also heard that he had complex needs, was diagnosed with ADHD and autism, and had a difficult upbringing where he witnessed domestic abuse.

The defence described him as a Walter Mitty-type but stressed that he had attended forensic psychological counselling and wished to become a paramedic.

The court heard that he was also welcome to return to live with his mother, and had an emotionally supportive family.

The judge noted that Kearney had been found to be polite and was on the enhanced regime in prison.

The suspended portion of the sentence, to promote rehabilitation, will continue for five years after his release.

Over that time, he must not reoffend, and he has to continue attending psychotherapy as directed.

The judge backdated the custodial part of the sentence to November when Kearney initially went into prison on remand on these charges.