Net trader on fraud charges

A Mt Maunganui man allegedly doing a bit of one-sided trading on the internet was arrested for fraud yesterday.

Tauranga police say the man was advertising "non-existent" items on the popular website TradeMe.

People throughout New Zealand and as far afield as England and Ireland were buying items such as Lions tour rugby tickets, computers, software and digital cameras from him. They paid their money - more than $3000 - but received nothing back.

Acting Senior Sergeant Darryl Brazier said a 47-year-old man was arrested following a long inquiry. He will appear in the Tauranga District Court next week on fraud charges.