A "cashback" scheme in which people were told they would be refunded half the cost of computers they bought after five years under a special insurance policy was part of an international $22 million scam, a court heard yesterday.
The scheme was operated by insurance companies which took thousands from businesses in Ireland and Britain and later went into liquidation.
The scam came to light during a dispute between customers of a Dublin computer firm which was among the businesses taken in by the fraudsters, the Small Claims Court heard.
Two customers, Ms Eileen Foley and Ms Eimear Burke, had bought computers from Beyond 2000, of Chatham Street, Dublin, costing €1,571 and €1,770. When they applied for their refund after the five years, Beyond 2000 told them the insurance firms involved had gone into liquidation.
Judge Mary Collins said it was clear this was "a very sophisticated fraud perpetrated against all parties". She did not believe that Beyond 2000 had recklessly ignored any suggestion that the operators of the scheme were not above board. She could not, therefore, find that Beyond 2000 was liable to the full refunds sought.