A woman described by police as one of New Zealand's premier credit-card fraudsters created 12 identities to scam more than $380,000, the Porirua District Court heard yesterday.
Jo-Anne Mary Rhodes, formerly known as Jo-Anne Mary Cole, 48, pleaded guilty to 75 fraud-related charges, involving a total of $382,981, between September 2001and last September.
In May 2000, Rhodes, described as a student, was jailed for 4 1/2 years on 165 fraud-related charges involving $452,000, which she spent on diamonds, cars, travel, furniture and appliances.
Her sentence was reduced on appeal to 3 1/2 years, partly because she stole only from banks.
The details of Rhodes' latest fraud scheme were not disclosed yesterday. Her lawyer, Robert Lithgow, said parts of the summary of facts were unfit for publication as they revealed the way Rhodes "manufactured" passports and other documents.
Rhodes took more than 10 minutes to sign her name to 75 charge sheets declaring her guilt. She had to stop once to apply ointment to an aching shoulder.
The charges include obtaining credit using false names, using credit cards under other people's names, forging Victorian (Australian) driver's licences, using false New Zealand passports, forging marriage certificates and making a false statement.
Court sheets show Rhodes created 12 identities, 11 of which were used to gain debts through fraudulent transactions.
Judge Barry Lovegrove remanded her in custody for sentencing on July 30, when he said the summary of facts would be read.
