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Teenager scams $7000 off Trade Me users

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Fri, 07 Oct 2011 8:01a.m.

Martin has been dealt a life ban from the online auction site

Martin has been dealt a life ban from the online auction site

A New Plymouth teenager has scammed thousands of dollars out of Trade Me members who paid him for car parts that never showed up.

At least 15 people are more than $7000 out of pocket after depositing money into the account of 17-year-old Jormah Satchel Martin, New Plymouth District Court has heard.

Martin pleaded guilty to 15 charges of computer crime totalling $7442.80, according to Taranaki Daily News.

Investigating officer Constable Peter Loader believes there are more victims who are yet to come forward.

The police summary outlines how Martin scammed using false details to set up at least six usernames.

Martin has been dealt a life ban from the online auction site.

Judge Allan Roberts refused to allow Martin bail before sentencing on December 9, saying he did not trust him not to continue to offend.

He has called for a full pre-sentence report, saying Martin would inevitably be facing prison.

NZN

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Comments

27 Nov 2011 02:01p.m.

Greg wrote:

This is the problem everyone has dealing with the ebays and trademes of the world. At best all they will do is turnoff the offenders account, and since trademe dont ip monitor a new account can be opened immediately. The popularity of these sites amazes me, and if yu try contacting them you get email bot replies. I have used both and been scammed one way or another on both and would never use them again, no more than a dodgy pawn shop.

27 Nov 2011 02:01p.m.

Greg wrote:

This is the problem everyone has dealing with the ebays and trademes of the world. At best all they will do is turnoff the offenders account, and since trademe dont ip monitor a new account can be opened immediately. The popularity of these sites amazes me, and if yu try contacting them you get email bot replies. I have used both and been scammed one way or another on both and would never use them again, no more than a dodgy pawn shop.

08 Oct 2011 01:56p.m.

Vincent Barker wrote:

This piece of SCUM scammed us out of $500 dollars. i want to see him rot. He stole money from a young family who was already struggling. Took us ages to save up the money to fix our family car with only one income and a newborn baby, now its gone. We want reparation. Also not only him to be blamed but ASB who were no help and said they could do nothing, even when the police got involved. We know for a fact they could have frozen the account, but instead they spit in there loyal customers faces. He may have had the time of his life pissing all our money away in that short time, i hope he pays for this for the rest of his life. Vincent

07 Oct 2011 03:28p.m.

Olivia Marshall wrote:

i hope he gets what he is deserved - we are one of the people that have been screwed over by this person, money that we saved for ages so i could get a 3 parts for my hubbys car that he has put on hold since we had our 3 year old. i hope he rots as far as i am concerned