Courts / Dublin / Report

Nigerian man took advantage of computer glitch to withdraw thousands from ATMs

Date
2016-04-06
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Babatunde Fagbule, 46, used a computer glitch at Ulster Bank to withdraw thousands of euros from ATMs in Dublin and Meath on 22 June 2012. The glitch, affecting all Royal Bank of Scotland group ATMs, prevented balances from being updated, allowing Fagbule to overdraw his wife's account by €8,315. He pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Fagbule stopped withdrawing money "of his own accord" that day, later repaying the full amount. The court noted the account was in his wife's name and that she was unaware of the withdrawals. Judge Melanie Greally described the offence as serious but considered his good character and repayment, sentencing him to 18 months suspended for two years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Nigerian man took advantage of computer glitch to withdraw thousands from ATMs. Charges or matters: 13 counts of theft from Ulster Bank at various ATM location in Artane, Finglas and Bettystown on June 22, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: However, because of a massive IT failure which affected all ATMs in the Royal Bank of Scotland group, including Ulster Bank, computers temporarily failed to reduce customer's balances when they withdrew money. CNI source report

Case subjects

Babatunde Fagbule

Defendant

Charges: 13 counts of theft from Ulster Bank at various ATM location in Artane, Finglas and Bettystown on June 22, 2012 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She imposed an 18 month sentence suspended for two years.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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