A 66-year-old woman is accused of laundering money from scam emails that targeted children’s charities and schools.

Maria Sebestyenne Kassia, of Wymondham, is said to have used bank transfers to illegally conceal the true origin of tens of thousands of pounds obtained from illicit activities.

It was alleged at Norwich Magistrates’ Court that she laundered more than £17,000 obtained from ‘phishing’ emails into funds from a seemingly legitimate source.

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'Phishing' is when criminals use scam emails, text messages or phone calls to trick their victims into falling for a scam.

Maria Kassia is accused of having sent money from phishing scam emails via bank transfers Maria Kassia is accused of having sent money from phishing scam emails via bank transfers (Image: Getty Images)

Speaking through a Hungarian translator, Kassia, of Silfield Road, pleaded not guilty to three charges of concealing, disguising, converting or transferring criminal property.

The court was told she was said to have laundered £6,035 using bank transfers in Wymondham between December 20 and Christmas Eve in 2020.  

Other charges relate to allegations that she also transferred £5,806 on November 25, 2020, and £5,200 on February 25, 2021 as part of the money laundering operation.

She is set to stand trial at Norwich Crown Court, with a preliminary hearing on September 19, after magistrates declined jurisdiction.

If convicted she faces up to 18 months’ in prison. 

Kassia pleaded not guilty at Norwich Magistrates Court Kassia pleaded not guilty at Norwich Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

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Magistrates were told this was an “unusual case” where the defence counsel adjudged the allegations to be more serious than the prosecution and were seeking a trial before a judge and jury.  

Annette Hall, representing Kassia, said: “It’s not a one-off offence, there are three separate offences and based on the prosecution’s case there is a degree of planning and sophistication because emails were targeting a children’s charity and a school.  

“It is alleged that a phishing email link is sent to the parties and by virtue of that it was planned and sophisticated in my submission.” 

  • You can report any suspicious email by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk 
  • You can also report scams via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133.