Tenbury conman scammed buyers out of cash with false adverts (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Tenbury conman scammed buyers out of cash with false adverts

2:42pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News

A CONMAN who scammed shoppers out of money by posting adverts online using false details has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Nicky Wall, of The Crescent, Tenbury Wells, had previously been convicted of similar crimes, Worcester Magistrates Court heard.

Herbinder Rahl, prosecuting, said victim Sam Irvine saw an advert on a website for an outboard motor and contacted the owner, “Gary”, in April last year.

She said the men exchanged emails and Mr Irvine agreed to buy the motor, transferring £340 into the seller’s account.

Miss Rahl said Mr Irvine never received the motor and had no further contact from “Gary” after the transaction, however the advert remained on the website.

She said he was the victim of a series of frauds committed by Wall, who was admitted to five similar offences last year.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud by false representation.

Paul Stanley, defending, said this offence was a new matter which had arisen following an investigation by police.

He said Wall had not committed any further offences since and that his previous crimes had be debt-related.

Mr Stanley said the offences were “not particularly sophisticated”, as Wall had been caught because the money had been transferred into his business account.

The court heard the defendant, who lives at home and claims job seekers allowance, still had £1,330 to pay in compensation payments.

District Judge Nigel Cadbury sentenced Wall to 40 hours unpaid work and ordered him to pay £340 compensation to Mr Irvine. He did not award prosecution costs or a victim surcharge.