A teenager from south Wales used eBay to steal £45,000 by selling non-existent goods, a court in Newport heard yesterday.

The lad, 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, conned more than 100 people by offering cheap phones, computers, games consoles and other electrical stuff.

Although the cash was handed over, the gear never arrived, since it was never in his possession. Instead, he used the money to fund trips to New York, stretch limos, and top notch TVs and Hi-Fis. He even emailed those he'd conned telling them how he'd spent their cash.

Admitting his crimes yesterday, the teenager from Pontypool, south Wales, said he became "addicted" to his moneymaking scam - so much so he even carried on offending after he'd been arrested.

The Independent quotes investigating officer, Detective Constable Steve Thomas as saying: "Initially the boy started off by selling mobile phones but then he progressed to cameras and camcorders and other electrical equipment. Once the buyers started to bid he contacted them to agree a price and a way to transfer the money. He had to supply contact details for his victims to send him money which is eventually how we tracked him down."

The teenager is due to be sentenced at Newport Crown Court. ®

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