A serial fraudster has been ordered to pay compensation after he tricked one of his golfing buddies into paying more than £2,000 for tools he never supplied.
Christopher Forbes, 30, told his pal he could get him a “good deal” on a selection of tools due to being a former sales representative in the sector.
But Forbes kept the money and never supplied any items.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard he managed to convince his victim to shell out £2,088 before admitting he couldn’t provide the tools.
Deal for cheap tools ended up costing thousands
Fiscal depute Tom Proctor told the court that Forbes had previously held a role as a sales representative at a tool supply firm in Aberdeen.
Forbes then contacted the man, who he knew from his golf club, in August 2017 and told him he could get a “good deal” if he wanted to purchase any tools through him.
“In July 2019, the complainer contacted the accused asking if he was still a sales representative as he wanted to purchase a number of items,” Mr Proctor said.
“He said he was no longer working for the firm, but he could still arrange for the purchase of the items at a discounted price.
“The complainer sent a list of items to the accused and they spoke at length regarding the proposed deal.
“The amount discussed for these items was £1,395.
“The transaction was made and bank details were given to the complainer whereby two separate payments were made to the accused.”
A few weeks later the friend then transferred a further £225 as he had arranged with Forbes to buy additional items.
He then sent £50 to Forbes for arranging the deal.
Excuses, excuses
As concerns mounted about the deal, the victim contacted Forbes on a number of occasions about the items.
He was given various excuses about delivery and stock issues.
In January, Forbes’ victim transferred an additional £420 for the shipping of the items and continued to enquire about delivery.
Forbes continued his excuses until January 2020 – when he finally came clean and told the man he could not provide the items.
Forbes pleaded guilty to one charge of obtaining £2,088 by fraud.
‘He apologises for breaching trust of those he impacted’
Defence agent John Hardie told the court that his client had “always intended to return” the money.
He added: “Mr Forbes accepts that these are serious offences and he apologises for breaching the trust of those he impacted.
“No reparation has been made just yet, but there was never any question about his responsibility for these offences.”
Sheriff Lesley Johnston told Forbes: “The other matters that were before this court and for which you received punishment and sentence pre-date this matter.
“A community-based disposal has been recommended and you have made a number of changes since the commission of these offences.”
As an alternative to a prison sentence, Sheriff Johnston handed Forbes, of Whitehills Lane South, Cove, a community payback order with supervision for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
She also ordered him to pay £2,088 compensation to his victim.
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