Three Rotorua motels were scammed out of $4400 after a habitual con artist pretended to book a room for an employee then failed to pay his bills. The scam left one woman questioning her trust in customers.
At the Rotorua District Court yesterday, Dean Goodall, 21, admitted nine charges of causing loss by deception, five charges of obtaining by deception, one of theft from a dwelling, one of burglary and three of failing to answer bail.
His scamming has resulted in a reparations bill of more than $33,000, with victims including moteliers, ASB and people who advertised on Trade Me.
Motel minder Marilyn Parker said Goodall led to her losing trust in people and changed the way she ran motels.
She was managing the Rose Court Motel on Fenton St when Goodall booked a room, claiming to be the owner of a construction company wanting a room for an employee and his partner.