Xealand Lance Eustace ordered to pay back thousands for Facebook Marketplace fraud

A Kingaroy fraudster has finally been brought to justice after months of agreeing to sell the same game console to nearly two dozen unsuspecting victims, and reeling in thousands of dollars of cash.

A Kingaroy fraudster has finally been forced to face the music after months of agreeing to sell the same PlayStation 5 console to nearly two dozen people, raking in thousands of dollars of cash to cover his rent and bills.

Xealand Lance Eustace’s fraudulent escapades began on January 10 when he listed his PS5 for sale on Facebook Marketplace under the fake profile Elijah King.

The first victim transferred $100 to the 19-year-old for the console before finding herself blocked by the seller and out of pocket.

Eustice continued the same pattern 21 times, with only the victim and amount of money paid for the console changing during the fake sales.

The Kingaroy man collected anywhere from $100 to $650 in each transaction, police prosecutor Lisa Manns told the Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

Eustace reeled in a total $5725 before police tracked him down in March, with officers finding the elusive console in his Kingaroy home.

Sergeant Manns said police also searched for the Elijah King profile on the teenager’s computer and discovered various other Facebook accounts he’d been using.

Lawyer Mark Werner said his client spiralled into fraud after moving out of home without any source of income to pay his rent and bills.

He said after Eustace struggled to find work and was denied Youth Allowance, the broke teenager became desperate.

“He made a few fraudulent transactions and then it just got out of hand,” Mr Werner said.

“It was an unsophisticated fraud and he was always going to get caught.”

Eustace was placed on 12 months’ probation and ordered to pay $5725 in compensation.

No conviction was recorded.