Student escapes jail for eBay fraud
Published March 20th, 2006
UK Auction News
AN eBay fraudster who drove to university in a BMW will have to sell his luxury car in order to pay off debts.
Mathew Phillips, 20, appeared in court yesterday admitted six counts of obtaining property by deception, as a result of fraudulently dealing on eBay.
The business studies undergraduate tricked customers on the internet auction site by selling goods he never delivered.
Phillips made more than £3,000 selling Microsoft products and cars, as well as offering a BMW valued at £24,000 and a Golf GTi, for a £1,000 deposit.
But now the Cardiff University student will have to sell his own BMW to pay off his debts.
Phillips, of Ystradowen, Cowbridge, narrowly avoided a jail sentence. His father told Cardiff Crown Court he was putting his foot down.
