Scam Alert
Users of online auction sites are reminded to beware of scammers
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Internet users are being reminded to stay ever-vigilant of scams being run through online auction sites after two high-profile Trade Me scam arrests.
On July 25th a 22 year old Mother-of-two was convicted in the Fielding District Court on 23 counts of obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception. She received a community detention and community work for her crimes.
The fraudster and her former partner stole $7935 by tracking down bidder details from numerous trading websites, and then working out what each bidder was looking to buy. These mainly consisted of gaming consoles, games, and mobile phones.
She then contacted those bidders via text message, and offered the same item for a cheaper price. The items were never sent.
Then, on August 2nd, a 24 year old female was charged in the Auckland District Court with accessing a computer system for a dishonest purpose. Investigations are continuing and she has been remanded to reappear on August 23rd when further charges are likely to be laid.
The alleged scammer was arrested after multiple complaints from Trade Me users about paying for non-existent iPhones and iPads after being contacted by text message.
Trade Me's Trust and Safety Manager Jon Duffy says, "deals done by text message are not going to be accompanied by the protections that a trade on a safe and trusted marketplace like Trade Me provides."
