Les Francis Thurlow, 63, from Slacks Creek in Beenleigh Court for money laundering

An elderly Logan man has been caught up in a complex money laundering scheme, where thousands of dollars were transferred through his various bank accounts, a court has heard.

Les Francis Thurlow, 63, was sentenced in Beenleigh District Court for money laundering

An elderly Logan man has been caught up in a complex money laundering scheme, where thousands of dollars were transferred through his various bank accounts, a court has heard.

Les Francis Thurlow, 63, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court on Friday, October 6 to one count of money laundering knowingly.

The court heard that between February 3 and 14, 2021 in Slacks Creek, a person scammed a company of $26,000 then contacted Thurlow to assist them.

They transferred $13,000 to Thurlow and he then did four separate transactions where he delivered the money to four different accounts.

He was offered $57 in profit for assisting in the money laundering scheme.

The court heard Thurlow, from Slacks Creek, had previously been warned by the banks about fraud and they had closed his accounts because of similar behaviour.

Crown prosecutor Sam Rigby said his behaviour was concerning and had a greater impact on society.

“He was assisting others in transferring money and ultimately assisting organised crime,” he said.

“He wasn’t tricked into engaging in this behaviour, he did it knowingly even after being warned by the banks.”

Thurlow’s defence lawyer David Funch said he was pressured into performing the transactions and did not appreciate the seriousness or gravity of his offending.

Judge Jodie Wooldridge said money laundering was a serious offence and needed to be punished appropriately by the courts.

“You knew the nature of the conduct you were engaging in and did it for the financial benefit,” she said.

“Money laundering knowingly is serious and needs to be punished.”

Thurlow was sentenced to six months prison, wholly suspended for 12 months.