A Bromley fraudster who claimed to online buyers she was selling riding equipment because she had a chronic disease has been spared jail after duping 46 victims into paying for goods they never received.

Poppy Valentine Eastwood, 24, of Pike Close, pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates' Court on March 21 to six counts of fraud by false representation and one count of acquiring criminal property.

She was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on Tuesday, June 7 to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

She was also ordered to repay all the money she stole back to her victims.

It is the second time con artist Eastwood has been convicted of such an offence.

In 2014, she was given a community order after advertising iPads on Facebook which the buyers never received and for driving off from 11 petrol stations without paying.

A Facebook group called 'Scammed by Poppy Eastwood' has more than 4,000 members.

During the course of the latest investigation, officers from Operation Falcon – the Metropolitan Police's cyber crime unit – found 46 victims.

They had all attempted to buy horse tack from Eastwood through various online market places between January 20, 2014 and November 13, 2014.

Eastwood would discuss possible transactions with potential customers before a deal was struck.

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During a number of these conversations she falsely claimed to be selling the riding equipment because she was suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Typically, the victim would transfer funds to buy the item and wait to receive the goods.

However, they never received them - leaving them out of pocket.

Eastwood would initially make excuses for why the goods hadn't materialised but would eventually cease all contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Stephen Westlake, of Operation Falcon, said: “Eastwood has defrauded a large number of online buyers who believed that they were dealing with a genuine seller.

"She has also pretended to suffer from a life-changing illness to gain the trust of her victims.

"The effects of becoming a victim of crime run far deeper than the loss of cash.

"I hope that Eastwood’s victims gain a measure of closure following today’s sentence."

Have you been scammed by Poppy Eastwood? Get in touch on 07787 273806 or helen.corbett@london.newsquest.co.uk.