A GEDLING woman has admitted her role in an internet scam which cost investors more than £500,000.
Joanne Marston was a director of Tenretni, a company which sold websites and a training package so that people could carry out "affiliate marketing"– earning commission from promoting other companies' products on their website.
The scam involved promising large monthly incomes to people who each invested between £15,000 and 30,000.
These incomes never materialised – but investors were still encouraged to pay more to supposedly increase their earning potential.
At Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, Marston, 30, of Brooklands Drive, and her fellow director Michael Taylor, 45, of Cwrt Naomi, North Dock, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud.
Marston and Taylor provided themselves with false testimonials. They befriended people pretending to be fellow investors happy to sell half their investment to them.
But no one was making money and money-back guarantees were not honoured, the court was told.
Three other defendants, Alun Killa, 69, of Heol Waun y Clun, Trimsaran, Wales; his daughter Nerys Lloyd Johansen, 41, of Heol Waun y Clun, Trimsaran, Wales; and Christopher David Young, 36, from Birmingham, had conspiracy to defraud charges against them dropped.
After the hearing Mr Killa, speaking on behalf of himself and his daughter Nerys, said the issue had dragged on for three years, and he was happy and relieved it was over.
He felt they should never have been involved in the case, adding: "Our innocence has been completely vindicated. It is great to have closure to it all."
The case was adjourned until Friday, December 14, for sentencing. Taylor and Marston were remanded on bail.
