Fraudster took £9k from train tickets scam

COURT TOLD HE ABUSED RAIL FIRMS' REFUNDING SYSTEM

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

A FRAUDSTER who pocketed almost £9,000 from an elaborate scam targeting train companies narrowly avoided jail.

Sadeddine Ramdane, 34, abused the system which offers refunds to passengers affected by genuine delays when using trains across the country, as part of a ‘very sophisticated’ racket.

After fraudulently purchasing train tickets Ramdane then claimed for refunds using the scheme, often selecting long journeys to maximise the scam. Manchester Crown Court was told that Ramdane became involved in the fraud due to ‘financial difficulties’.

“You describe yourself as ashamed, and so you should be,” the judge said, warning Ramdane that he would have been jailed had the case been brought to court sooner.

Prosecutors told how in March 2017 the Trainline website became aware of a ‘pattern’ of fraud where genuine payment details were being used fraudulently to purchase tickets, with just under £22,000 worth of tickets being bought by Ramdane in this way.