Trade Me meets chemical seller accused of identity theft

Trade Me staff have met with the Wellington teen who allegedly used a fraudulent identity to sell potential bomb ingredients online.

The online auction site on Saturday cancelled the Victoria University student's account after an initial investigation found he had used someone else's details to sell the chemicals.

The investigation followed calls from experts who said the quantities of chemicals on sale were too small for agricultural use as fertiliser, and the chemicals could be used to manufacture explosives.

The Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) has confirmed to Trade Me that it is not illegal to sell the chemicals, although the two parties would meet tomorrow to discuss the matter further.

The 19-year-old student at the heart of the controversy fronted up to the auction site this morning to discuss the allegations, Trade Me trust and safety manager Chris Budge said.

"He was loitering around, waiting downstairs for me to get to work," he told NZPA.

"At this stage we've told him that we are investigating the matter. We're looking at potential identity theft."

The student claimed he had permission to use a friend's name after a previous account was shut down.

However, Trade Me had contacted the friend and was satisfied he had "nothing to with the membership".

"The victim may not have been told the whole story, and that's the reason for our investigation. We want to get to the facts rather than what somebody might want to recall."

Current and previous accounts linked to both individuals would be investigated, Mr Budge said.

The alleged identity theft victim, a 20-year-old Hawke's Bay builder, said he did not have internet access until recently and was unaware his name had been used.

"I just want my name cleared. I've got no knowledge of whatever's been going on," he told the Waikato Times.

Meanwhile, Trade Me is continuing its investigation of a second user with about 40 listings for similar chemicals.

The user's account was still active, although immediate action was not necessary because the auctions did not finish until later this week, Mr Budge said.

The user had previously come to Erma's attention, he said.

"My understanding is that they were given compliance certificates and that the investigators had no problems with either what was being sold or the quantities."

The meeting with Erma tomorrow would clarify public safety issues around selling the chemicals online, Mr Budge said.

"It could be legal to sell, but perhaps the purpose they could be used for wouldn't be relevant to our community."

However, the majority of users commenting on Trade Me's message board did not have a problem with the chemicals being sold online, Mr Budge said.

"They think they should just leave these guys alone and let them get on and sell these fertiliser products.

"The community is actually saying, `Let's let it happen, and stop talking about bombs', so we've taken that into account as well."

Erma hazardous substances general manager Andrea Eng said the agency was continuing inquiries into the matter.

- NZPA