A Dundee man fraudulently raised funds at a church for a phoney charity, a court has heard.
Jamie McMurchie, 21, tricked people at a church and a shopping centre in to donating money supposedly for “Tayside Cancer Research”.
He carried a fake ID badge and gave out details of the charity to convince people it was real when he had really invented the organisation and was pocketing the cash.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard McMurchie “formed a fraudulent scheme” between May 1 and May 15 2013 at the Steeple Church in Nethergate and at the Keiller Centre.
He got five people to part with money.
Depute fiscal Isma Mukhtar said McMurchie had told them he was fundraising for Tayside Cancer Research with any funds raised being donated to the charity.
She said: “On May 18 2013 he was seen in the Wellgate shopping centre approaching two males and asking them for sponsorship. That raised suspicion and police approached him and the accused advised he was collecting for Tayside Cancer Research.
“The officers were not familiar with that charity and one of the officers searched the internet for it using his phone, but no details came up.
“The accused stated it was a real charity and the donations were being given to people related to it, but he could not give contact details for them.
“He was interviewed later and said he had raised roughly £120 and maintained his position that the charity was real.”
McMurchie, of Lawton Terrace, pleaded guilty to forming a fraudulent scheme and obtaining money by fraud.
His partner, Lee Higgins, 32, also of Lawton Terrace, had his not guilty plea to the same charge accepted by the Crown.
Sheriff Tom Hughes deferred sentence until September for McMurchie to be of good behaviour and engage with a social work mentoring team.
He said: “This type of offence would normally automatically carry a jail sentence as it is a breach of confidence for the public.”