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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lanarkshire Live

Female Lanarkshire fraudster embarked on shopping spree after opening account in pal's name

A woman went on an online shopping spree after opening an account in her friend's name.

Tamzin Ferguson obtained goods worth hundreds of pounds before her baffled pal was presented with a bill.

Ferguson, of Burnside Road, Newarthill, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.

The 22-year-old admitted getting items worth £499.50 by fraud in September 2019 and repeating the trick to obtain goods worth £95.95 from another retailer in December that year.

Rebecca Clark, prosecuting, said Ferguson used her friend's address for billing purposes but had items delivered to her own home.

She stated: "The accused's friend had no knowledge of this and became aware only when she received a letter saying a payment had been missed.

"She challenged the accused who apologised but, unfortunately, repeated her behaviour in December 2019.

"This time the police were alerted and Ferguson again apologised, saying 'I'll get it all sorted out'.

"Her friend was not out of pocket as a result of this, but her credit score has been affected."

Defence agent Tom Watters described his client's behaviour as "foolish", but pointed out that almost three years have elapsed since the offences.

He said she was in employment and in a position to pay a financial penalty.

Sheriff Ray Small agreed that it had been a "stupid" attempt to deceive the online retailers.

He told Ferguson: "I'm at a loss to understand why you did this a second time."

She was fined £320 and ordered to pay £95.95 compensation to the second retailer.

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