Man accused of taking €47k from Cork people in cryptocurrency deception
Accused was charged with five counts of deception under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act. File picture
A 22-year-old man accused of five counts of deception involving a total of over €47,000 by inducing people to invest in cryptocurrency two years ago was brought before Cork District Court.
Callum Kearney, of no fixed address, was arrested by Detective Garda Donal O’Connell and charged with five counts of deception under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.
One of the complainants is allegedly at a loss of €30,000.
Sergeant Pat Lyons said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed trial by indictment on the cryptocurrency investment deception charges.
It is alleged the accused man dishonestly by deception induced one man to give him €4,750 as an investment, with the intention of making a gain for himself between June and October 2021.
He faces a similar charge in respect of €7,500 and €1,700 from two other men in the same period. He is charged with inducing a woman to give him €3,700 by deception to make a gain for himself.
Finally, he is charged that by deception he induced a man to give him a vehicle valued €11,000 and €19,000 in cash, again to make a gain for himself.
Four of the offences relate to Ballincollig and the count referring to €7,500 is from a man in Bishopstown.
In addition, he is charged by Garda Kellie Faul-Kelleher with driving away in an Audi A7 without permission from John O’Brien Motors, Pouladuff Road, Togher, Cork, on November 6. He faces related charges of driving this car the following day at Carrigrohane, Cork, without licence or insurance.
Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused on bail to appear on January 31, 2024.
Sgt Lyons said there was no objection to bail on condition he would sign on three days a week at Anglesea Street Garda Station and have no contact with any of the alleged injured parties.
A book of evidence will be prepared on the five charges related to cryptocurrency. The other cases were adjourned for the purpose of the accused man deciding if he will plead guilty or not guilty at the district court.
