Fake DPD delivery driver duped Newport shop in courier fraud spree

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/fake-dpd-deli ... 00039.html

A man who dressed as a DPD delivery driver to trick Isle of Wight shop staff into handing over parcels has been sentenced for multiple counts of fraud.

Alexandru Moldoveanu, 27, of Saturn Close in Southampton, appeared before the IW Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 4, where he pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud by false representation.

Prosecutor Lauren McConnell said Moldoveanu posed as a DPD delivery driver, using a uniform he had bought online, and entered several shops in Newport over the course of a week in March.

The court heard that between March 4 and 11 , Moldoveanu visited a number of stores, including CeX, EE, and O2, asking staff if they had any parcels to be collected or delivered.

Mrs McConnell said that while most employees found him suspicious and refused to hand anything over, Moldoveanu was successful on two occasions at CeX, managing to leave with packages containing electrical goods.

Moldoveanu stole £430 worth of items on March 4 and a further £240 worth the next day, magistrates were told.

At the time, Moldoveanu was working for a different courier company and even used his employer’s white van during the fraudulent visits, which later helped police identify him, the court heard.

Mrs McConnell said the offences demonstrated a degree of planning, as Moldoveanu had gone so far as to purchase a DPD uniform to make his deception convincing.

No formal mitigation was offered by defence solicitor Barry Keel, who instead asked magistrates to order a pre-sentence report.

Instead, magistrates proceeded to sentence Moldoveanu to a 12-month community order, including 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £670 compensation to CeX, along with a £114 surcharge and £84 in court costs.