A CONVICTED fraudster who ran an eBay scam where victims paid up to £6,000 for Swiss watches they never received has been jailed for a further three years.

Harrogate Magistrates Court heard Ali Bakhitary posed under different sellers' identities and befriended vulnerable people, before using their bank accounts to hide his illegal operation.

Bakhitary, 31, of Harrogate, admitted three fraud offences and one of concealing criminal property between February and April last year.

He was already serving a three and a half year prison sentence for fraud offences he committed both online, using E-Bay and Gumtree, during 2014.

After sentencing, a North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Ali Bahktiary is a conman who hides behind a shop front, “Items for sale” to carry out his crimes.

“Many individuals have sadly fallen victim to his lies and scams, which he repeatedly carried out purely for personal financial gain. He is now where he belongs - behind bars."