A Tasmanian man, who claimed to be filming a Channel Seven television program, has admitted he sold a fake advertising package to a woman, ripping her off for thousands of dollars.
In the Launceston Magistrates Court on Friday Kane Scott Dallow, 38, of South Launceston, pleaded guilty to one count of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage.
He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge, but changed his plea.
The court heard Dallow, who recently started an online news service called Tas News 24 and is also known as Kane Hicks, first met the woman from Sisters Beach last May.
He told her he was a Channel Seven cameraman and offered her an advertising package as part of a program he was creating.
Police prosecutor Luke Moore said the victim understood the program, that was to air on the channel, would give her business exposure.
"He claimed that the advertising package was worth $10,000, she would pay $5,000 and he would pay $5,000," Senior Sergeant Moore told the court.
The woman agreed and paid $5,000 into Dallow's bank account on July 19, 2018, but later became suspicious and contacted police.
Mr Moore said Dallow forged the network's news logo onto documents, gave the woman a fake Seven Network receipt and he set up a false Seven Network email address.
Dallow 'willing to pay money back', lawyer says
Dallow's laywer Patrick O'Halloran said his client was a casual employee at Channel Seven's local affiliate Southern Cross Austereo last year.
"There had been at least one meeting where there was discussion about a possible program," Mr O'Halloran said.
The court heard production staff at Southern Cross Austereo had told him "no" to airing his program, but Dallow denied that during his police interview.
Mr O'Halloran said Dallow told police he would repay the woman, but they advised that would not be a good idea until the matter was finalised.
"He does have the money and is willing to pay it back," Mr O'Halloran said.
Dallow was also charged with another count of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage for a separate offence, but that was dropped due to lack of evidence.
He is expected to be sentenced in March.
