Warrant issued for fraud accused Kayla Maree Smith over two court no-shows
A Hobart mum accused of scamming Facebook marketplace users has been ordered to turn herself in after she failed to show up to court twice in as many weeks. LATEST FROM COURT >
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A Hobart mum accused of scamming Facebook marketplace users has been ordered to turn herself in after she failed to show up to court twice in as many weeks.
Thirty-one-year-old Kayla Maree Smith was set to be sentenced in Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday for counts of unlawful possession of property, posses controlled plant or its products, and possess a controlled drug.
But when she was called before Magistrate Chris Webster, she did not appear.
Her lawyer told the court that she had tried to contact Smith to no avail, and that she had not appeared in court last week as well.
“ … I don’t know why she is not here,” the lawyer said.
Mr Webster issued a warrant for Smith.
Smith is also facing more than 200 total fraud, stealing and dishonestly acquiring financial advantage charges.
Some of the charges arise from Smith allegedly creating multiple Facebook accounts with fake names, which she used to advertise products.
The charges of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage relate to making false advertisements on the platform.
Court documents previously seen by the Mercury allege that Smith advertised and sold products including Nintendo Switch game consoles, games, and accessories, a Telstra TV, a PlayStation 4 console, a Mimco handbag.
The documents allege that in August 2021, Smith used the name Donna Penningston on Facebook to sell the Nintendo Switch for $250 – one of the multiple times she listed the product for sale.
More fake names including Hannah Chatters, Fiona Smith, Jess Bell, Piper Maria Smith, Paul Morrison, Dhakota Marce and Nicki Jane are also alleged to have been used.
It is further alleged in the documents that Smith fraudulently opened a bank account using the photograph of another woman’s Medicare and licence.
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Originally published as Warrant issued for fraud accused Kayla Maree Smith over two court no-shows
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