Michael Nolen: Albury puppy scammer pleads guilty to $16,000 fraud

An Albury man who has been ripping off dog lovers across three states with a dodgy puppy scam has been a very bad boy.

An Albury man has been accused of running a puppy scam across three states, pretending to sell puppies, including toy poodles, on Gumtree.

A Springdale Heights man accused of breaking the hearts of dog lovers across three states via an online puppy scam, has pleaded guilty.

Michael Nolen, 26, appeared in at Albury Local Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to nine counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.

Police will alleged between September 20, 2020, and January 15, 2021, Nolen advertised corgi, dachshund, cavoodle, and toy poodle puppies for sale on Gumtree.

The police facts state Nolen allegedly asked his victims for a down payment, and in several cases full-payment, before disappearing without delivering the puppies

Nolen’s alleged victim’s were from NSW, Victoria, and South Australia including Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Gillieston Heights, Kingsford, Caulfield, and Port Adelaide.

One of Nolen’s alleged victims paid a $1600 deposit for a corgi puppy to a “Maggie Nolan” and then a further $1700 once arrangements had been made to deliver the fake puppy from Coffs Harbour to Port Adelaide.

When the delivery company arrived at the Coffs Harbour address supplied by Nolen, they were unable to make contact.

Nolen was arrested at Albury police station on March 17, 2021, after investigation by NSW, Victorian, and South Australian police connected the mobile number and bank accounts used in the Gumtree ads to Nolen.

Nolen’s alleged victim will be seeking a total of $16,425 in compensation if the accused is convicted.

Nolen’s defence solicitor asked for a six-week adjournment in order to obtain a sentencing assessment report for his client.

Nolen will appear back in Albury Local Court on June 17 for sentence.