Gambling debts led star croquet player to play key role in smishing text scam, court hears

Aim to rob innocent Cork woman of her life savings

The injured party reported the scam to Bank of Ireland who were able to trace the perpetrators and they managed to recover €7,094 from Mark Stephens. File picture

An Irish international croquet player ran up such huge debts from gambling that he played a crucial role an elaborate “smishing” scam that aimed to rob an innocent Cork woman of her life savings, the district court has heard.

Court presenter Inspector Tony O’Sullivan said that Mark Stephens, 30, of Brighton Place, Foxrock, Co Dublin and Joel Antony, 21, of Castlegate Close, Lucan, Co Dublin had both pleaded guilty to a single charge under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.