An Almondbury man has appeared in court following his part in an online make-up scam aimed at Asian women.
Andrew Bermingham, of Halton Close, was before Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.
He pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of criminal property.
James Weekes, prosecuting, said that the 28-year-old was acting on behalf of another male.
The man was the perpetrator of a fraud against various Asian women living in the area.
He offered to set up make-up trials that would be suited to their skin type.
This service was placed on the free online advertising site Gumtree, which allows users to buy and sell items.
Mr Weekes said: “He took advanced payment and the treatments never materialised.
“The payments were paid into Mr Bermingham’s account.”
Bermingham took £125 cut of the proceeds on two occasions when he received the cash.
Following his arrest he told police that he knew that the money was sourced via crime but had believed that this was due to drug dealing.
Rachel Smith, mitigating, said that her client befriended the man at a casino.
She said: “He’d asked Mr Bermingham if he could collect some monies on his behalf.
“Mr Bermingham thought that this was drug-related and had no involvement in the deception advertised on Gumtree.”
Bermingham was ordered to pay back his £125 profit from the venture to each of the two victims.
He must also abide by a 12 week curfew between 7pm and 7am.
Finally, Bermingham must pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.
Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news .
Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here , the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here
To follow us on Twitter click here
