A rogue car dealer who clocked up almost £190,000 in fraudulent activities has been served a suspended sentence and 200 hours of unpaid work.
Dariusz Pipcyznski, aged 26 and from Conniburrow, sold cars via Facebook and Gumtree using false identities without declaring that he was a valid trader.
He was investigated by Milton Keynes Council and pleaded guilty to the offences under the Fraud Act 2006 at Aylesbury Crown Court on 23rd February.
By failing to declare himself as a car trader, anybody who purchased a car from Pipcyznski would not have been aware that they would have been entitled to claim for a repair or refund under their civil rights, had the car been found to be faulty.
As well as being given a 17-month prison sentence, suspended over two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, Pipcyznski will pay £33,654 in proceeds of crime and £7,000 in legal costs, following an investigation by Trading Standards Officers at Milton Keynes Council.
Sue Crawley, Trading Standards Manager at Milton Keynes Council, said: “Pipcyznski duped customers into thinking that they were buying their car from private seller rather than a business.
“Trading Standards seeks to protect the rights of consumers to ensure that they have the legal redress they are entitled. Hopefully this case will send a message to other traders who masquerade as private sellers that we will take robust enforcement action where necessary.”
If you want to know your civil rights in relation to a vehicle that you have purchased or any other products or services you have bought, you can contact Citizens Advice Consumer Direct on 0808 223 1133 or www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
