‘Computer whizz’ ‘caught out’ by facial recognition tech

A self-proclaimed “computer whizz” who presented a spurious identity card to Department of Social Welfare officials in Mullingar before going on to open a series of bank accounts was “caught out” by the department’s own facial recognition technology, a court has heard.

Lukasz Blaszkowski (40), 83A Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, Westmeath, appeared at Mullingar District Court last week to face a total of seven fraud and inducement charges between March and May 2024.

The father of four pleaded guilty to each of the counts which followed his use of a false Polish identity card at the Department of Social Protection, Blackhall, Mullingar, Westmeath on March 28 last year.

Garda Jim Donaldson gave evidence of the accused man’s production of the bogus document under the name of Marek Maniak.

Judge Bernadette Owens said despite those attempts, Mr Blaszkowski was found out when a picture taken of him was used to corroborate his identity with one on the department’s internal data system.

“He produced a false Polish ID card in the name of Marek Maniak and the picture taken of him that day was matched with another picture on the system to reveal his true identity,” said Garda Donaldson, adding that “facial image had caught him out”.

The discovery led to a search of Mr Blaszkowski’s home under warrant and the named false ID card as well as a number of other “false documents” connected to the investigation were found.

Under questioning from Judge Owens, Garda Donaldson said the accused also opened two bank accounts with AIB and Bank of Ireland as well as digital bank, N26.

The court was told no money was lodged or passed though any of the accounts in question.

When the false ID card and other items were taken from Mr Blaszkowski on May 28, Garda Donaldson said the stay at home father made “full admissions” during interview and was “completely cooperative” at all times.

The court was also informed of Mr Blaszkowski’s three previous convictions, all of which related to public order offences, the most recent in January 2011.

Louis Kiernan, defending, said his client had handed over a “kind of folder” of paperwork to gardaí during the search.

He said the accused was an individual who was particularly adept in information technology and had done his research in carrying out the attempted scam.

“He is something of a computer whizz and was simply checking the system to see how far he would get,” added Mr Kiernan, while noting that Mr Blaszkowski was “quite successful in a short space time”. Mr Kiernan said the accused had, in the past, enjoyed a “reasonably good work record”, but was now living at home with his partner and four children. He said the case, while being both “unusual” and “serious” in equal measure, necessitated a probation report.

“There are some issues which would be pertinent for the court and there was a certain motivation behind his actions,” added Mr Kiernan. Judge Owens granted the request and remanded Mr Blaszkowski on bail to Mullingar Court on January 15, 2026.