Businessman denies part in motorbike scam

Roger Wallace accused of taking money for vehicles customers never saw

A Perth businessman has been accused of conning customers out of thousands of pounds.

Former toy shop boss Roger Wallace faces allegations that he was behind an online motorcycle scam and tricked people into paying nearly £15,000 for vehicles they never received.

Detectives mounted a probe into the 30-year-old’s dealings after receiving complaints from 11 disgruntled customers south of the border.

Wallace, of High Street, Auchterarder denies all charges.

Perth Sheriff Court heard police had mounted two separate investigations into complaints about Algo Business Support Ltd – the company Wallace was said to be operating – between August and December 2012.

Detective constable Ross Zerrick said that several people had come forward, claiming they had lost money to the company after contacting them through the sales site Gumtree.

Mr Zerrick visited the firm’s former headquarters at Faraday Business Park in Dundee. Although the business had since moved, a receptionist identified a picture of Wallace and said he was the owner.

Wallace was taken to Perth police station for interview, but declined to answer any questions.

The court heard customers complained they had paid sums of between £500 and £2,495 for vehicles they never received.

In an email exchange, one disgruntled customer wrote to Algo: “Getting information is like pulling teeth. Stop mucking about and give me my money.”

Police searched Wallace’s former home at Balbeggie and found a bank card with the name “Mr Roger Wallace, Algo Business Support”.

The court also heard that Wallace ran a toy shop at St John’s Shopping Centre in Perth city centre in late 2012.

The centre’s administration marketing officer, Claire McDiarmid, said that the shop, which was leased by Algo, ran for less than two months.

She said Wallace worked at the store with his parents and his sister. She told the court that she was not aware of any motorcycles or similar machines being sold there.

Police also investigated a room Wallace had been using at the Sky Lodge Hotel at Perth Airport.

Wallace faces charges that he pretended to customers that he was running a bona fide website, offering customers vehicles, including Vespa scooters, inducing them to make payments.

The trial has been adjourned until November 3. jabuchan@thecourier.co.uk