Werribee fraudster Nick Murphy dumped stolen cash on Crown poker, Sportsbet
A gambling-addicted Werribee pizza-delivery guy who splashed stolen cash on betting after being duped into an elaborate $25,000 online scam by a fake internet lover has used his weight in a plea to avoid jail.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Werribee fraudster splashed stolen cash on a Crown poker tournament, Sportsbet accounts and a $2500 phone bill.
Now the pizza delivery man has used his weight in a bid to avoid jail.
Nick Murphy, 43, pleaded guilty at the Werribee Magistrates’ Court on February 3 to two charges of theft.
Murphy’s lawyer said his client’s weight issues – he weighed 190kg at the time of offending – had hit a “crisis point”.
Murphy’s “self-evident” weight issues, and other factors were used as part of his plea to avoid jail time.
It was also submitted Murphy would “struggle to do unpaid community work” because of his physical stature.
The court heard Murphy, from Werribee, received more than $25,000 fleeced from two rural Victorian victims.
The stolen money was paid directly into two of Murphy’s bank accounts after his victims were sent bogus invoices.
The legitimate invoices were “intercepted”, altered with Murphy’s bank account details and then sent on to the victims.
The offending – which police referred to as a “prevalent internet based fraud” – occurred between November 2017 and January 2018.
Police investigations uncovered an ”offshore scammer” known only as “Sarah” pretended to be in a relationship with Murphy.
“Sarah” convinced Murphy to hand over his bank account details so he could receive the stolen cash, the court heard.
It was not alleged Murphy intercepted the emails or instigated the scam.
The court heard “Sarah” convinced Murphy to send the cash to them but he cottoned onto the ruse and kept most of the money himself
The jig was up for Murphy when he dropped $10,000 to enter a Crown Casino “Aussie Millions” poker tournament.
Crown smelt a rat so it “intervened” in the transaction.
Murphy – who also paid a $2500 phone bill then used the balance to top-up several Sportsbet gambling accounts – was arrested and charged.
He told police he spent the money to relieve his “financial hardship”.
“I was out of work … I needed money for bills,” he said.
“I just wanted a break from all my bills.”
The prosecution submitted that Murphy’s explanation was “not fully consistent with the manner (he) sought to use the stolen funds”.
Magistrate Jennifer Grubissa said a good behaviour bond was not an option for Murphy.
“There is the reality of the inherent seriousness of this offending,” she said.
Magistrate Grubissa said the victims had got back almost $21,000 but not because of Murphy.
“(The money was returned through) the good work and good deeds of others,” she said.
Magistrate Grubissa said Murphy’s lack of priors saved him from being “immediately considered for prison”.
MORE SWARMING TEEN MENACE ALMOST KILLED MAN AND DOG
MUSIC TEACHER RAPED BOY, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED SEVERAL OTHERS
DRUNK CROOK STORMED HOME TO HELP MATE BASH MAN
She ordered Murphy be assessed for a community correction order.
The out-of-work pizza delivery man was also ordered to repay the $2135 still owed to his victims.
The matter will return to court on February 14.