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How a fat fraudster stole more than $300k from unsuspecting Gumtree users before blowing it all on the punt and large pizzas

An overweight serial fraudster managed to steal $323,873 from almost 100 unsuspecting Gumtree users before splurging all the cash on pizza and gambling.

John Griffiths, 39, from Wodonga, on the New South Wales Victorian border, swindled the money from 99 victims between August 2013 and September 2019.

The thief frequently moved around the country, changing his name and address to trick people into buying non-existent electronic devices such as computers, cameras and DJ equipment.

The 39-year-old, who had gotten out of prison in 2013, pleaded guilty on Thursday to more than 100 charges related to fraud in the County Court, the Herald Sun reported. 

A 39-year-old from Wodonga swindled more than $300,000 from people over six years and admitted he became obese from spending the cash on pizza (stock image)

A 39-year-old from Wodonga swindled more than $300,000 from people over six years and admitted he became obese from spending the cash on pizza (stock image)

Griffiths was unemployed for the duration of his scams and moved between NSW, the Northern Territory, Victoria and South Australia.

One man handed over $1,600 to Griffiths in the hopes of receiving a MacBook laptop that never existed. 

He used a range of techniques to avoid police similar to the film 'Catch Me If You Can' starring Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Griffiths said he had become overweight from eating pizzas every night that he had bought with the stolen money, but had lost 30kg while in custody - something he said 'felt amazing'. 

The scammer used a new Gumtree account for each false transaction, virtual credit cards, and multiple burner phones that he even put in the name of some of his relatives.

Griffiths also admitted he had access to his mother's bank account and was getting a new SIM card every six weeks.

It wasn't until 2018 that Leading Senior Constable Sarah Patrick discovered the scams were all linked to the same person.

She managed to tie one of the phone numbers to an address linked with Griffiths and he was arrested in December last year.

Griffiths admitted he had a gambling problem which stemmed from winning $10,000 at his first visit to the Crown Casino.

He told police he was a 'degenerate' gambler who blew most of the cash on sporting bets, pizza and minor living expenses.

The conman claimed he wanted to pay his victims back for his crimes. 

Griffiths will be sentenced on Thursday. 

John Griffiths said he spent the stolen money on sports gambling and eating pizza every night

John Griffiths said he spent the stolen money on sports gambling and eating pizza every night

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