NSW Fair Trading Commissioner has welcomed the successful prosecution of a South Western Sydney man who pleaded guilty to multiple odometer tampering and fraud charges in Parramatta Local Court last October 11.
Duc Loc nguyen was fined $8,000, sentenced to 200 hours community service and placed on 12 month good behaviour bond for offenses committed between January 2011 and March 2012.
He pleaded guilty to seven odometer tampering offenses, one count of operating without a motor dealer’s license, and three counts of fraud in relation to obtaining a financial advantage by deception through the use of fraudulent books.
The offenses were uncovered by Fair Trading investigators as part of Operation Order conducted in early 2012.
Mr Stowe said he was pleased Fair trading had already secured cheques totalling $38,030 from Mr Nguyen as compensation to the seven consumers who had bought cars off Mr Nguyen.
“Odometer tampering and forging log books are serious offenses,” Mr Stowe said.
“Consumers deserve absolute protection when buying something as significant as a motor vehicle, and there is no room in industry for unscrupulous individuals as Mr Nguyen.”
Magistrate George described the defendant as “blatantly dishonest” and his conduct as “fairly cold blooded.”
The Magistrate added he was confronted by the defendant’s conduct that “involved planning, careful device, (and) spending time advertising vehicles to take advantage of people.”
Mr Nguyen used various aliases, including Victor, Ken, Justin, Steven, David and James and used multiple email addresses and mobile phone numbers to deceive potential consumers.
Mr Nguyen arranged to meet consumers in the Homebush Olympic Park Precinct and surrounding suburbs, for consumers to inspect vehicles he advertised in Carsales.com.
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