CARDIFF SEX OFFENDER CARL GERMON SENTENCED FOR WEB FRAUD AND FAILURE TO REGISTER

In a case that highlights the dangers of online scams and the ongoing issues surrounding sex offenders, Carl Germon, a 41-year-old man from Cardiff, has been sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating a significant web-based fraud and for neglecting his legal obligation to register as a sex offender.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Germon was responsible for setting up a fraudulent travel business under the name Mackenzie Travel, which operated via the Freeserve auction site. Over a period of just two months, Germon managed to deceive numerous customers across England, Wales, and Scotland, by offering holiday packages to destinations such as Turkey, Tenerife, and Menorca. Despite collecting substantial sums of money—specifically, cheques from 50 individuals—he failed to deliver the promised tickets or goods, including holidays, camping equipment, and electrical items.

Prosecutor Merion Davies explained that when authorities launched their investigation into Mackenzie Travel, they discovered that the company's bank account had been frozen, with approximately £9,000 still remaining in it. The investigation revealed that Germon had received large payments from customers, who believed they were purchasing legitimate holiday packages through the auction site. The sums involved were considerable, and the scam was carried out over a very short period, making it a notable case of online deception.

Germon’s criminal history is extensive and troubling. He was previously sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison in 1998 for indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy. His past convictions also include sexual offenses against children aged 10, 7, and 6. Due to these offenses, Germon was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, a legal requirement he failed to comply with earlier this year, resulting in an additional 12-month sentence.

The court was also informed that Germon’s actions and history of sex crimes contributed to the assessment of him as a “high risk” individual by law enforcement authorities. The judge, Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC, emphasized the dangers posed by the internet in facilitating such crimes. He remarked, “It’s frankly quite frightening the ease with which the internet can be used in order to commit fraud. This case illustrates the ease with which people can be taken in.”

Germon’s case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating online fraud and managing offenders with a history of sexual crimes, especially when their actions continue to pose risks to the public.