Teenaged eBay fraudster jailed

A British teenager who stole more than £45,000 from eBay customers has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Phillip Shortman, now 18, from South Wales, admitted to advertising goods that did not exist and pocketing the proceeds. He spent the money on computer equipment, designer clothes and a weekend trip to New York.

The court heard that more than 100 eBay customers had been defrauded by Shortman last year. After the police were alerted he was arrested and released on bail but continued to sell non-existent goods.

Normally a minor's identity is kept secret but the court lifted the ban in this case, stating that other eBay users had a right to protection.

The court heard that Shortman had taunted one customer who called him to complain saying: "This is my business. I make people fools."

Shortman admitted 21 charges of obtaining property by deception and asked for a further 64 charges to be taken into consideration.