A Nottinghamshire man who tricked a family into travelling to Skegness to rent out a caravan which did not exist has been sent to prison.
Mark Bedder, of Glenside in Kirkby-in-Ashfield appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ court on Thursday (November 30).
The court was told the 31-year-old advertised the caravan for hire on Facebook.
A woman took up the offer and paid him £100. She then travelled to Skegness with her family only to find that the caravan didn’t exist.
She reported it to Nottinghamshire Police and Bedder was arrested. Magistrates sent him to prison for 16 weeks after he admitted fraud. He was also ordered to pay the victim £200 compensation.
Detective Constable Richard Cornell of Notts Police’s fraud team said: “There is a trend in the way criminals are operating, with offenders turning to online fraud because they think it is easier.
“It’s our job to do everything possible to make sure this is not the case. We want to highlight that we have absolutely no tolerance towards people who commit online fraud.
“It can be incredibly distressing for victims who experience this kind of crime. We have a dedicated team who will follow up any report and do everything they can to bring offenders to justice.”
