By Graeme Wearden, 4 May 2005 14:40
NEWS A teenager who used internet auction site eBay to defraud over one hundred people has been sentenced to 12 months' detention and training.
Phillip Shortman, 18, of Pontypool, South Wales, obtained over £45,000 by selling goods that didn't actually exist on eBay. He had previously admitted 21 counts of obtaining property by deception over a 13 month period.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Shortman had spent the money on expensive electronics kit - including computer equipment, hi-fis and flat-screen televisions - designer clothes and hiring stretch limousines.
Police have warned that criminals are increasingly targeting internet auction sites such as eBay. A technique typically used by fraudsters is to get a victim to pay by cash or a cheque before they receive the item they've paid for.
eBay itself recommends that customers pay by credit card or by PayPal - which it owns - or use an escrow service that will hold the buyer's money in trust until the item has been handed over. It also runs a Buyer Protection Programme, but the maximum rebate possible is just £105 - rising to £250 if the customer paid by PayPal.
Graeme Wearden writes for ZDNet UK
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1. Mike Grello
"A teenager who used internet auction site eBay to defraud over one hundred people has been sentenced to 12 months' detention and training."
Training with an eye toward becoming a U.S. Congressman, lobbyist or CEO? Hey, he could come over here and become President! Something he shows an aptitude for it, in any case.