NOVEMBER TRADE NEWS Woolworths confirms administration Textile maker claims innocence in fake goods case VAT cut drives Irish shoppers north of the border Woolworths close to administration Chancellor cuts VAT to 15% Retail sector 'being driven by discounts' Lingerie business to focus on wholesale operations Christmas delivers online shopping BRC warns government of pressure on retailers Wholesaler helps small retailers fight Asda Fraudster made £12,000 from eBay scam Scottish consumers 'tightening their belts' Luxury fashion brand enjoys rise in wholesale activity Weak pound benefits Northern Irish retailers Internet helps small retailers to fight downturn London sales superiority over UK 'dwindling' Cambridge retailers fight proposed Tesco opening Wholesale slump for designer clothing company Small retailers 'under threat Post Office to keep card accounts Wind forces trade fair inland Young consumers 'susceptible' to brands Christmas cheer in store for small retailers Local shops play vital community role Retailers told to expect flat sales this Xmas Keep Trade Local campaign comes to London Park Cameras bags Retailer of the Year award Retail sales plummet to three-year low Christmas 'make or break' for small retailers UK traders invited to enter Retail Week Awards Mary Queen of Shops to help Birmingham retailers Scottish Asda store criticised by local resident Low interest rate good news for small firms Markets must support each other, says CGTA Banks urged to pursue small business funding BRC to launch new online retail sales indicator Small retailers voice optimism in Kendal Portsmouth hosts bash for local newsagents Argos under fire for 222% APR store card Emergency funding for ailing small firms Stolen goods warning for Worcestershire retailers Trade News Archive November 08 October 08 September 08 August 08 July 08 June 08 May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory  19th November 2008 Fraudster made £12,000 from eBay scam An estate agent bagged himself £12,000 by selling counterfeit goods on eBay, York Crown Court heard this week. According to the York Press, Spencer Scott Martin is being prosecuted by Trading Standards after allegedly selling pirated goods for more than six months. The newspaper reported Deborah Sherwin, prosecutor, as saying that Mr Martin, 33, had involved his elderly parents in his attempts to side-step the online auction website's security measures. Recorder Tom Bayliss QC is quoted as saying: "It was quite a professional enterprise. These offences undermine reputable companies and defraud the public." Mr Martin pleaded guilty to two counts of selling goods with false trademarks, asking for 324 similar offenses to be taken into account. He sold counterfeit electrical goods such as iPods and clothing. Since launching in 1995, eBay has become a global phenomenon and now hosts local auctions in over 30 different countries.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story