Mohamed Elzeyat sentenced after stealing from Facebook sellers

A serial thief used Facebook marketplace to snatch high-value items from sellers. A court heard the offender’s father is serving three life sentences.

Sellers were targeted after agreeing sales over Facebook marketplace.

A man whose father is serving three life sentences behind bars is now facing his own prison hell after committing several thefts using arranged Facebook meet-ups.

Mohamed Elzeyat, 23, pleaded guilty to larceny and faced Hornsby Local Court on June 12 via videolink.

Court documents reveal Elzeyat is serving a two year jail sentence for convictions relating to dishonestly obtaining property by deception – with 20 similar offences alone between July and August 2022.

Court documents reveal he was ordered to pay compensation of $17, 548 to eight victims in that period.

Police facts state Elzeyat used the fake name “Isaac Auran” on Facebook to arrange the purchase of high-value items in Killara.

On August 7 last year, he and another man met a seller and asked to inspect an iPhone 13 valued at $1500 - before “snatching it” and running off.

iPhones for sale on Facebook marketplace.

Police facts state Elzeyat had an ankle monitoring device fitted during the offence – and was later charged while detained at Bathurst Correctional Centre.

The court heard Elzeyat had a traumatic upbringing, after his father was convicted to three life sentences.

“His mother suffers from PTSD as a result of the family history – it’s been traumatic for the family,” Elzeyat’s defence lawyer said.

His lawyer told the court jail was particularly onerous for Elzeyat “because of who his father is”.

The court heard Elzeyat suffered from a severe gambling addiction during the offending period.

The court heard jail was particularly onerous for Elzeyat, due to his father.

“Before that offending period, he had a limited criminal record. He now knows, if he commits more crimes like this he’ll stay in jail,” his lawyer said.

Elzeyat was serving five community corrections orders and three intensive orders during the offending period.

Magistrate Alexander Mijovich said he had to impose a jail sentence.

“Instead of seeking assistance after being handed several court orders, he continued to offend,” Mr Mijovich said.

Elzeyat was sentenced to a further three month sentence and is eligible for release on parole on October 11.