NEWS DESK
Man charged over car speedo scam
Tin rattlers: Chris Baker, Barry Smeaton, Sean Mapleback, Emilio Bitters, Jackson Calder and James Matthews will be collecting for this year’s Red Shield Appeal. Picture: Yanni
Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A MORNINGTON Peninsula car buyer was one of 91 victims of a trickster who allegedly wound back the speedos on cars he was selling online. Police at Mornington last week charged the man, 29, of Reservoir, with obtaining financial advantage by deception and acting as an unlicensed motor car trader. He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court for a filing hearing and is expected to be tried at the Country Court at a later date. Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Vallas, of Mornington police, will allege the man on-sold vehicles to the value of $1 million after buying them at motor car auctions and then re-advertising them through online classifieds. Police will allege the man used an easily-obtained speedo resetting device to “wind back the clocks” on the late model cars – with one reset from 240,000 kilometres back to 60,000 kilometres. The ruse came to light when a Mornington car dealer serviced one of the cars and recognised it as one he had sold previously – when it had many more kilometres on the speedo. He notified the new owner who was, understandably, horrified. Detective Vallas said police were investigating fraudulent car sales back to 2010 – but believed that they went back even further. There are also more than 91 victims, but “we had to draw a line somewhere”. It is claimed the fraudster conned his victims into believing the cars had genuine service books “which he had left home but would post next day”, and had used false dealer stamps on other fake service books. He said the online classified service had provided valuable information on the fraudulent sales and that records had been seized from a car trader in Reservoir. “More victims are coming forward following a three-month investigation,” Detective Vallas said. “They would not have bought the cars if they had known the true speedo readings. “Unfortunately, they, and the peninsula car buyer, won’t be receiving any recompense – it’s just their bad luck.”
Players’ hands up for appeal MORNINGTON Bulldogs players are joining members of community groups helping the Salvation Army with this year’s Red Shield Appeal. A self-described “sports fanatic”, Lieutenant Sean Mapleback is an officer with the Salvos as well Mornington Football and Netball Club chaplain.
Members of the Bulldogs and other volunteers will be collecting for the appeal at the intersection of MorningtonTyabb Rd and Main St, Mornington, on Sunday 31 May. “We also receive great support from Rotary clubs, the Mt Martha CFA and lifesaving club, plus members of the
public and local schools,” Lt Mapleback said. The Red Shield Appeal is held over the 30-31 May weekend although volunteer collectors will also be out and about in the days leading up to the weekend. Donations can be made online at salvationarmy.org.au
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Shop 8, 1-13 Tyabb Road (cnr Nepean Hwy) Mornington www.shadesofaustralia.net.au Mornington News 26 May 2015
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