An online scammer says he knows how the victim feels – because his own dad was targeted too.
Gary Brown, 21, narrowly avoided a prison sentence when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
He admitted two charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The court heard Brown, of William Drive, Hamilton, and unnamed accomplices put together a social media get-rich-quick scam in June 2022.
The individual they targeted provided bank details and money was transferred.
Brown obtained £8500 from the unwitting victim but was caught after exchanging some of the money for £1800 worth of euros at an outlet in Rutherglen.
Defence lawyer Jackson Bateman told the court: “My client’s father was the victim of an attempted scam similar to this, so it has affected his own family.
“He was only 19 when he committed this. It’s his first offence and he has pleaded guilty.”
Sheriff John Speir placed Brown under supervision for 12 months and ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid community work.
The sheriff told him: “It has been recognised that this type of crime crosses the threshold for custody.
“However, I accept that, although it seems to have been a sophisticated financial crime, it was in no way masterminded by you.
“You are still a young man, you have no previous convictions and I’m satisfied I can impose an alternative to custody.”
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.