Case involving FBI against man accused of cybercrimes in Cork adjourned to May

Among the things Suleman Mazhar is accused of is money-laundering

Suleman Mazhar is accused of having a smart card reader to make false financial instruments and having 52 plastic cards embedded with smart chips and magnetic strips. File picture: Larry Cummins

The case against a 42-year-old man charged in Cork with alleged cybercrimes following an investigation locally and by the FBI in America was adjourned on Monday.

Suleman Mazhar, who was previously of Moneygourney, Douglas, Cork, had the case against him mentioned at the opening day of the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

On the application of prosecution barrister Paula McCarthy, Judge Helen Boyle adjourned the case until the opening day of the next sessions of the circuit court in May. The accused was represented by defence senior counsel Jane Hyland.

The defendant is accused of having a smart card reader to make false financial instruments at a house at Railway Street, Passage West, County Cork, having 52 plastic cards embedded with smart chips and magnetic strips and a final count of alleged money-laundering between August 2020 and July 2021.

Sergeant Wesley Kenny said previously that their investigation into alleged transfers of crypto-currency had seen the accused allegedly involved in over 2,000 transactions involving $346,000 over a one-year period.

The accused gave evidence of buying five bitcoins at €109 each and their value going to a high of €62,000 each at his initial application of bail.

Judge Helen Boyle adjourned the case for mention on May 29 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, at which time a date may be set for a trial of the case.