TradeMe fraudster on run from police

Joshua Colin Calthorpe is wanted on multiple charges. Photo / NZ Police

A man facing a raft of charges including defrauding TradeMe users and allegedly robbing a woman at knifepoint he made contact with her through the auction website is on the run from police.

Joshua Colin Calthorpe, 24, failed to appear in the Auckland District Court in March on charges of obtaining by deception, escape from custody, breaching court release conditions and numerous driving charges.

It is alleged that Calthorpe defrauds TradeMe users by offering to sell them iPhones. He receives their payment, but they never get the phone.

He is also wanted by police in Glen Innes for questioning over an aggravated robbery on May 24. Police allege Calthorpe contacted a woman after she disclosed her cellphone number to him through TradeMe.

"He claimed to have a phone to sell but, when they met at an arranged location the woman was threatened by a man with a knife, and robbed," a police spokesman said.

'He has had two TradeMe accounts suspended in recent weeks but may try to create a new account and victimise others."

Police urged TradeMe users not to give out their private contact details on the site.

Anyone who knows where Calthorpe is should contact Constable Jason Hohepa on 021 191 3025 or email Jason.hohepa@police.govt.nz.