Edens Landing plumber, Justin Luke Rover, sentenced for Facebook Marketplace fraud

South East Queensland police have been left dumbfounded by a plumber who ripped off would-be buyers on Facebook Marketplace to the tune of $6248, only to turn up to fix the plumbing at a bayside police station.

A Logan plumber faced court on Thursday (June 30) after admitting to defrauding more than $6000 from Facebook Marketplace buyers and driving unlicensed.

Cleveland Magistrates Court heard police had no trouble nabbing Edens Landing resident Justin Luke Dover, who turned up to a bayside police station to work on the plumbing.

Dover pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud and one count of unlicensed driving.

Justin Luke Dover.

The 26-year-old, who was called out to a maintenance job at the police station, was promptly identified after showing up, the court heard.

“We noticed he was wanted on outstanding warrants,” police prosecutor Sergeant Angela Tetley said.

The court heard that on two occasions on April 21 and August 2 last year, Dover had sold items on Facebook Marketplace but did not hand over the products to the buyers

“He refused to take any calls from the victims and bank details revealed he had the money in his account already,” Sergeant Tetley said.

On a third occasion in March, 2022 Dover took money for a plumbing job without completing it, she said.

The court heard Dover was also caught by police driving unlicensed in Cleveland on June 29 this year.

His lawyer, Kelli Martin, said her client had addiction issues.

“He was using his entire wage to gamble,” Ms Martin said.

“He started drinking, which led to partying, which led to cocaine and MDMA use.”

Magistrate Barry Barrett said his offences were all dishonest.

“It is a pattern of systematic fraud on each occasion,” Mr Barrett said.

Dover was convicted, received a 15 month probation order and was ordered to pay compensation of $6248.20 for the fraud charges.

He was also fined $300 for driving unlicensed.