Sheffield man ordered to pay back over £90,000 after spending accidental refund on luxuries
The 50 year old was mistakenly handed a £300,000 refund by an online marketplace - which he failed to return
A Sheffield man has been told to pay back £90,000, after he was mistakenly given a six figure sum in a refund from a website, which he then spent on luxury goods.
In 2021, 50 year old Simon Jackson of Foxwood Avenue listed an item on a well known online marketplace for £10m.
He then claimed the item has been sold 'off site', with the website automatically calculating he was owed a £300,000 'sellers fee' as a refund.
Rather than raise the alarm about the mistaken refund, Jackson instead pocketed the cash and began a two month spending spree.
He bought a high-performance car engine, jewellery, a Louis Vuitton bag worth £3,500 and ahnded substantial cash gifts to friends.
He was jailed in 2024 for retaining a wrongful credit.
Following a subsequent investigation by South Yorkshire Police's Economic Crime Unit he has now been told to pay back £91,438 within three months, or face a three year prison term.
Head of Asset Recovery at South Yorkshire Police Laura Hough said:
"It is important that criminals who are convicted are not allowed to continue to benefit from their lives of crime.
"Work remains ongoing to recover the outstanding criminal benefit with Jackson remaining responsible for this amount. We are working with colleagues at the Regional Confiscation Unit as they regularly review this case.
"Without your help, we wouldn't be able to paint such a detailed intelligence picture on individuals who have potentially benefitted from a life of criminality.
“Have you noticed someone who has suddenly started wearing designer clothing or have bought a second car despite not appearing to have a job? They may be gaining this money illegally.
“If you see something that is not quite right, I urge you to report it to us, or through Crimestoppers if you don’t want to talk to us directly and stay anonymous.”