A fraudster who hacked into email accounts on eBay to obtain thousands of pounds fraudulently has been jailed for 30 months.

Joe Rothfarb, 22, of Grand Drive, Herne Bay, told police he had done it 200 or 300 times at roughly £200 a time, netting about £60,000 but finally admitted various offences amounting to just over £13,000.

Rothfarb appeared for sentence at Canterbury Crown Court having admitted unauthorised modification of computer material, obtaining property by deception with 46 similar offences considered.

The frauds related to buying and selling goods on eBay.

Rothfarb hacked into email accounts blocked them to the authorised user by changing the password then advertised goods for sale that he didn’t have.

He accepted bids and contacted the would-be purchasers to persuade them to pay money directly into his account rather than use Pay Pal.

He would also buy goods on eBay but not tender any money, said Vivian Walters, prosecuting.

After his arrest in October 2007, Rothfarb was bailed but went on to commit further similar offences and was re-arrested in March. Rothfarb had previous convictions and had served 120 days for deception.

Ian Foinette, for Rothfarb, said he had sufficient intellect to set up a system that had led to his appearance in the dock but at the time he was leading a fairly meaningless uninvolved life spending most of his time at home with his partner and no outside interests.

He had pleaded guilty saving the court considerable time, effort and public expense and he had accepted his guilt at the earliest opportunity.

It was difficult to find an explanation for the offences but Rothfarb had a history of depression. “He has never had a great deal of money and saw this as an opportunity to make some,” said Mr Foinette.

Jailing Rothfarb, Judge Michael O’Sullivan said he was thoroughly dishonest.

He said Rothfarb took advantage of the eBay system and those who used eBay in the belief they could purchase and sell property securely and that their accounts would not be tampered with.

Matters were aggravated by Rothfarb committing further offences on bail. “Those who cheat on the internet and believe that is a way to make money must be deterred from so doing,” said Judge O’Sullivan.

The court ordered 19 days Rotherfarb had served should count towards his sentence.