Serial Scammer Adrian Colbert Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Facebook Marketplace Fraud

Adrian Colbert, a 31-year-old serial offender known for his elaborate scams on Facebook Marketplace, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his extensive criminal activities. Colbert orchestrated a complex scheme in which he deceived victims into believing he had purchased their vehicles, only to vanish without making any payment.

Multiple Aliases and a Wide Range of Targets

Between July and December of last year, Colbert used multiple aliases, including 'Age Edward', 'Lorenzo Matthews', 'Adrian Edwards', and 'Adrian James', to carry out his fraudulent activities. The cars involved in the scams included a wide range of models such as the Nissan Skyline, Toyota Aqua, Suzuki Swift, Honda CR-V, Toyota 86, Subaru Impreza, Holden Colorado, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo, and Mazda CX5.

Notably, the Holden Colorado and Volkswagen Golf were both 'purchased' on the same day in November last year in Tauranga. Colbert would negotiate with sellers, agree on a price, and then present them with fake or altered bank statements as proof of payment. However, the money was never actually transferred.

Expanding the Scams Beyond Vehicles

Colbert's fraudulent activities were not limited to cars. He also duped individuals selling a variety of items on Facebook Marketplace, including an iPhone 15, a Dyson vacuum cleaner, and a Samsung Galaxy Fold 6. In these cases, he would advertise the items for sale but never deliver them.

His criminal behavior extended beyond online transactions. Colbert was also involved in thefts, including stealing from an Airbnb in Porirua and a hotel in Auckland, leaving behind significant debts. These additional offenses further compounded his legal troubles.

Plea and Sentencing

Colbert pleaded guilty to multiple charges of obtaining by deception and was sentenced to three years in prison. His defense lawyer argued for a lower sentence, citing Colbert's remorse and a history of drug abuse as underlying factors. However, the judge imposed a higher starting point of three and a half years, with additional time added for previous offenses and parole violations.

No reparation orders were made due to the unrealistic expectation that Colbert would be able to make payments. The court emphasized the seriousness of his crimes, noting the significant harm caused to victims.

Police Warn the Public

Authorities have described Colbert as a 'prolific scammer' and have urged the public to exercise caution with online transactions, particularly on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace. Police emphasize the importance of verifying the identity of buyers and ensuring that payments are made before handing over goods.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online marketplaces and the need for vigilance when engaging in transactions with strangers. Victims of similar scams are encouraged to report incidents to local police and to take steps to protect themselves in the future.