In September of 1998, I attempted to make an on-line purchase of a product totally $4.75 from a local company going under the name of Melbourne Small Business Exposure Pages. I provided my credit card details directly to Peter Lockyer via the Melbourne Small Business Exposure Pages website. A week later I rang the credit card company to make a routine balance enquiry. To my surprise my limit had been exceeded and four unauthorised purchases totalling $742.29 had been made using this credit card. I was forwarded a statement immediately that detailed 3 on-line purchases and 1 phone purchase that I knew nothing about. I emailed the companies involved and was provided with invoices detailing the mailing address, which I knew to be Peter Lockyer's, home address. This is of course became a police
matter.
After a lengthy investigation by the Victoria Police (Australia), a decision was made NOT to lay charges against Peter Lockyer over the matter of credit card fraud or theft. This is not due to a lack of evidence against Peter Lockyer.
The police were presented with the following evidence:
MasterCard statements detailing the unauthorised purchases
invoices from the companies stating the mailing address of
goods as Peter Lockyers home/business address a letter from MasterCard to me confirming reimbursement of
funds due to these unauthorised purchases contact names and phone numbers of people within MasterCard willing to provide
further evidence to Victoria Police upon request.
Contact name and direct phone number of a person within Telstra
willing to provide further evidence to Victoria Police upon request.
As well as the local police investigation, this matter has been
looked at by the Ethical Standards Department within the Police
Force, the Ombudsman's Office and an Inspector of Police based at H Division (area headquarters).
This in my opinion and in the opinion of members working in the law enforcement area should be a "cut and dried" case with Peter Lockyer being brought before a court of law to face charges but nfortunately this was not the case. Under the existing legislation governing trading via the Internet in Australia, there is no provision to lay charges against Peter Lockyer.
I am in the process of lobbying for a change, along with others who have been victims of a similar scam, through various channels available to me but the legislation has not yet been rectified.
Fortunately I was reimbursed the full amount by the credit card
company along with any interest incurred but Peter Lockyer can
continue his scams without repercussions. He is indeed doing just that. He is the sole operator of two on-line businesses being www.websitepoint.net and www.clubworld.org and is again requesting credit card details as a method of payment for services rendered.
This is not just a matter for Australians as both Peter Lockyers
on-line businesses are trading internationally.
scamdetective@optusnet.com.au
..........REBUTTAL...........