Teenager set up fradulent scheme to claim ‘numerous’ flights and hotel stays

A teenager has admitted defrauding a travel company out of flights and hotel accommodation after obtaining computer login details.

At Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday, Reece Scobie pleaded guilty to setting up a fraudulent scheme which saw him book “numerous” flights between July 2011 and January 31 2012.

The 19-year-old, of Flawcraig Farm, Rait, was employed by Thomson Travel in the St John’s Centre in Perth when he set up the fraudulent scheme.

Using log-ins and passwords obtained during his employment, he booked flights and hotel accommodation from his home address, as well as from his work and an address in Dundee.

For a period of 11 days in January last year he also used an account belonging to an English company, Cambridge Business Travel, to book more flights and accommodation.

Scobie also admitted a third charge of using fake letters of guarantee and a false travel itinerary to get his passport back from a court employee, and that he did this while on bail.

Sheriff Fiona Tait deferred sentencing to allow reports to be compiled.

Scobie will appear again on August 19.