Jail warning for iPads conman in ebay fraud

A conman set up two fake ebay accounts claiming to sell iPads for bargain prices to dupe unsuspecting customers who never received their goods, a court heard.

Gregory Homer, aged 41, ran a "sophisticated" operation from his house in Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton. He was warned to expect jail after pleading guilty to two counts of fraud at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday.

District Judge Mr Michael Wheeler told him the off-ences were potentially so serious that "all options" would be open to the court which will sentence him next week.

"I warn you now that you must expect a custodial sentence when you return, although that is not binding upon the court which sentences you," he said.

He said the case had been aggravated by the "sophistication" of the set-up and by Homer's record, which sho-wed he received a suspended sentence in April 2010 for running a similar scam selling iPhones via ebay.

He was released on unc-onditional bail for reports to be prepared, and will be sentenced on March 15.

Two victims of the con have been found so far.

Mr Roger Blazzard, prosecuting, said the operation had only been uncovered when disgruntled customer Craig Jones, who paid £450 for his intended purchase, had headed round to Hom-er's house to confront him and caused a scene which was attended by police.

Officers were already investigating a similar claim by barrister Richard Nall-Cain, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, who had paid Homer £350 for an iPad 2 for his daughter Claire.

He said Homer's computer hard drive had been seized and investigations were ongoing as to whether any more people had fallen victim to the scam.

Sgt Sid James, from the East Park neighbourhood policing team, said it had been "excellent" work by officers. "It sends a signal out that computer crime does not pay."