The High Court has decided to release a Belfast man accused of carrying out a £1.5m banking scam. The court granted bail after a hearing that examined his claims of acting under duress. The presiding judge, Mr Justice McAlinden, noted that the 45-year-old defendant had shown significant change since the scam was discovered. The decision came after detailed evidence about the scam and the pressures he experienced from criminal elements. This ruling marks a turning point in a case that has attracted attention from banks and law enforcement across the UK.
The defendant, John Cartmill of Coolnasilla Park West, faces 63 charges. These include fraud by false representation, converting criminal property, and supplying a credit card for fraud. The court was presented with his history and background, along with evidence of his actions that led to the accusations. The judge’s decision to grant bail was based on the understanding that Cartmill had undergone a process of transformative change. His barrister argued that his client was under external pressure from more sinister forces, which contributed to his actions.
Fraudulent Methods and Charges
Cartmill is accused of targeting customers on social media. His methods involved impersonating bank officials by creating email addresses that mimicked genuine bank domains. He contacted victims by posing as a trusted representative from well-known financial institutions. His communication tactics were designed to persuade individuals to share sensitive information and transfer funds. In some cases, he used a freephone number to intercept customers’ contact details. Once in control of these details, he was able to request a one-time passcode to complete fraudulent transactions.
The banks implicated in the case include major names such as Barclays, HSBC, Santander, Tesco, Bank of Ireland, and Metro Bank. The scam spanned various dates in 2023 and 2024, targeting both individual and business clients. Social media posts, especially those on X (formerly known as Twitter), caught the scammer’s attention. Customers who expressed dissatisfaction with their financial institutions were approached directly. This tactic allowed Cartmill to exploit vulnerable clients, adding further weight to the charges against him.
Law enforcement has painted a detailed picture of the banking scam. Police allege that Cartmill was known for his deceptive methods even before this case. His modus operandi included registering email addresses and deploying technology that manipulated customer data. These methods allowed him to bypass standard security measures, making the scam both complex and dangerous. His actions caused significant losses to several financial institutions, which increased the pressure on investigators to secure his arrest.
Criminal History and Investigation
Cartmill’s background is a critical part of the case. He has a long history of criminal activities and is well-known to both the police and financial institutions. With 159 previous convictions, his record includes 40 counts of deception, 12 counts of forgery, and 86 fraud offences. In banking circles, he earned nicknames such as “the threat actor” and “the Irish actor” due to his repeated scams and aggressive tactics.
The investigation revealed that Cartmill exploited online tools and social media to carry out his scams. For example, themobile phone numbers he used to contact customers were cross-referenced with records that linked them directly to him. Furthermore, part of the scam involved the use of online IP addresses traced back to Spain. Investigators believe that during some key periods, Cartmill was located in Spain. This cross-border element added complexity to the investigation and required close cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
The case took a dramatic turn in September 2023 when the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was alerted to a series of scams with similar patterns. An investigating detective revealed that these scams resulted in losses of around £1.5m and covered several banks. In addition, the banks managed to thwart further attempts to defraud another £700,000. The evidence pointed strongly to a network that operated beyond a single individual. While Cartmill was at the centre of the operation, the broader criminal network played a role in orchestrating these crimes.
Additional Fraud Offences
Beyond the high-profile banking scam, Cartmill faces charges related to benefit fraud. Since September 2020, he has received enhanced Personal Independent Payment allowances for daily living and mobility needs. Cartmill claimed that he suffered from severe conditions that impacted his ability to socialise, travel, and maintain contact with others. However, police evidence contradicts these claims. Records show that he actively managed a delivery company and was listed on the insurance policies for several fleet vehicles.
Additional evidence highlights a pattern of travel that raised further suspicions. The investigation uncovered that Cartmill undertook up to 27 flights between August 2021 and February 2024. These flights included trips to the Maldives and Dubai, as confirmed by passport stamps. In one instance, flight bookings led to a loss of £2,580 from his credit card company. This evidence indicates that Cartmill maintained an active lifestyle, contrary to his claims of severe limitations.
The internet and phone scams were carried out as part of a more extensive criminal network that appears to have operated with significant sophistication. Each part of the scam was carefully planned to siphon funds from a large number of victims and financial institutions, and the involvement of multiple parties complicates the legal proceedings.
Defence and Future Proceedings
Cartmill’s legal team has taken responsibility for the actions, and full admissions have been made to the allegations. His barrister, Sean Devine, emphasised that the defendant acted under duress. Devine argued that Cartmill was not the primary beneficiary of the crimes. Instead, he claimed that the pressure from more sinister criminal elements played a significant role. The defence submitted that the subject of threat messages from police validated this claim of duress.
The court was also informed that Cartmill had already faced a lengthy period on police bail. Last year, he spent 11 months on bail while awaiting trial. Given this background and his subsequent admissions, his legal representatives argued for a safe release. The barrister stated that his client now feels relief that the matter is nearing resolution. With ongoing criminal proceedings related to other offences, the court has decided to monitor his activities closely. The judge has imposed strict conditions, including a ban on contacting victims or co-accused. Additionally, Cartmill is required to report to the police on a daily basis as part of the release terms.
This decision does not mark the end of the legal process. The case will continue to be examined, particularly concerning the evidence of transformative change in Cartmill’s conduct. The court will review further details in upcoming proceedings, and the outcome will influence not only his fate but also the broader approach to managing high-risk fraud cases.
