18/10/2007

Barcode Scam Uncovered

A crook who 'scammed' almost £250,000 worth of goods from B&Q and sold them on internet site eBay has been jailed.

Philip Dumigan used fake barcodes which registered a lower price when he brought the items to the cashdesk.

A judge said the 36-year-old, from Tildarg Crescent, had been involved in a sophisticated scam which had required careful planning.

Dumigan, a father-of-three, was jailed for three years and placed on a year's post-custodial supervision.

The fraud was carried out at various B&Q stores across Northern Ireland, Belfast Crown Court heard on Wednesday.

The goods amounted to £247,000 and involved 450 items, most of which Dumigan sold on eBay.

He was stopped in February last year by security staff at the B&Q store at Sprucefield on suspicion of theft.

Police who searched his home found a large number of power tools, showers and other goods.

(BMcC)




Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 August 2021
Proposed Introduction Of Biennial MOT Testing
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is set to consider the potential introduction of MOT testing for cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles every two years. Currently private cars and motorcycles are first MOT tested at 4 years old and light goods vehicles under 3,500kg are first tested at 3 years old.
09 July 2002
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
10 July 2015
Over £1m Secured For Early Years Fund
Over £1 million in funding has been secured for the Early Years Fund. The Fund, which supports 153 early years organisations across Northern Ireland, will use the funding to ensure current services continue until March 2016. Education Minister John O'Dowd confirmed £1.1m in funding.
25 July 2024
DfI Proposes New Emissions Test For Diesels
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is consulting on an alternative exhaust emissions test for modern diesel cars and light goods vehicles as part of changes to the annual MOT test.
19 July 2024
Counterfeit Designer Clothing Seized In Dungiven
A 28-year-old man has been arrested following a search in Dungiven that uncovered counterfeit clothing, trainers, handbags and watches valued at over £500,000, representing a significant loss to the designers. The arrest was made and a substantial quantity of counterfeit goods was recovered following searches of a residential and business property.