California Man Pleads Guilty to Internet Fraud

Richard Wesley Morris of Arcata, California pleaded guilty in federal court in San Francisco to charges of bilking online bidders who never received the items he had offered for sale on EBay. According to prosecutors, Morris had been posted items on EBay but did not ship them to winning bidders. Authorities believe that over 50 people in the U.S. and other countries were defrauded by Morris, with losses of at least $10,000. Morris allegedly used numerous EBay IDs and e-mail addresses. Using different user names, Morris built his feedback up by selling items back and forth to himself, according to an FBI affidavit. Morris plead guilty to one count each of wire fraud and mail fraud. He could face prison when sentenced on Sept. 12.