A BANK of Ireland computer specialist who defrauded his employer out of more than €40,000 by increasing the overdraft on his girlfriend’s account has received a three-year suspended sentence and 240 hours of community service.
Wiktor Wolcaski (29), of Castleknock Rise, Castleknock, but originally from Poland, said he needed the money because his girlfriend had an unnamed medical problem he believed required an operation.
Wolcaski pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and using a computer for fraud in February and March 2008. Judge Katherine Delahunt noted the ease with which Wolcaski carried out his offence, and said: “I’m sure it’s been a lesson to the banks.”
Det Garda Michael Kilfeather told prosecuting counsel, Garret Baker, that Wolcaski had been living in Ireland since 2005 and had got a job in the debt recovery unit of Bank of Ireland, based in Ferry House on Mount Street.
In September 2007, his girlfriend opened a Bank of Ireland account. Shortly afterwards, Wolcaski began to gradually alter her account by increasing its overdraft and credit rating. Over the course of two months, Wolcaski went to ATM machines across the city daily and usually withdrew the maximum amount allowed.
An alert system highlighted the unusual withdrawals to Gerry Gibson in the bank’s fraud prevention unit. He investigated, and the changes were easily traced to Wolcaski as they had been made under his user name. Gardaí were called and Wolcaski was arrested.
He made immediate admissions and claimed he did not think it was illegal, as the system allowed him to make the changes. He said he thought he had discovered “a gap in procedure” and believed if the bank found out they would merely tell him not to do it any more.
He said he needed the money for a medical procedure for his girlfriend. Det Gda Kilfeather said he seemed to be “obsessed with his girlfriend’s health” despite her having no diagnosed condition.
Det Gda Kilfeather agreed with Ronan Kennedy, defending, that Wolcaski’s girlfriend knew nothing about the scam.
Bank of Ireland recovered most of the money from his home and other banks. The balance of €3,000 was repaid by Wolcaski.
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