The man who scammed his way around the South West district has been sentenced to three months in prison by a Bunbury magistrate on Monday.
30-year-old Michael Cook pleaded guilty to five charges of gaining benefit by fraud and one charge of providing personal details to police.
Cook was arrested at a Bunbury TAB following a tip-off to Crime Stoppers after a member of public recognised his face and contacted Crime Stoppers.
The court heard how Cook would prey on people’s compassion by asking them for money as he had locked himself out of his car and needed to call a locksmith or RAC.
He left false details with the businesses and promised to return the money but, after being handed the cash, was never heard from again.
Margaret River woman Vanessa Chen fell victim to his scam on June 16.
“He just said it was an emergency and he needed $140,” Ms Chen said.
“If I was in that situation I would like to think people would help me, so I helped him.
“I gave him the money and believed him.”
The man was wearing a Colonial Brewery jumper and claimed he worked there.
It turned out he had won the shirt from a taps takeover the night before and the celebratory shot of him claiming his prize was circulated online to warn people of his scams.
After scamming Margaret River Cook traveled to Busselton and it was not long before scams started to be reported in the area.
He racked up $610 from different businesses last week including $140 cash from Subway on Bussell Highway, $160 from an Abbey store and $150 from Lamp Inc.
Cook’s lawyer said Cook was paying for bus fares to get back to Perth for work.
Magistrate Hamilton said Cook had a “history of dishonesty” and originally ordered him to pay a $1800 fine before August 17 but this was changed to a prison sentence after prosecutors argued Cook could not pay a fine.