Vic net guru jailed for online fraud

A self-proclaimed internet marketing guru from Melbourne has been jailed for online fraud that left one victim stuck in France and another fearing for her safety.

Joash Boyton executed scams that were meticulous, persistent and predatory, a Victorian County Court Judge said as he jailed Boyton for four years and nine months.

Among his money-making schemes, the 23-year-old had a website that sold cheap Qantas flights that he'd purchased with stolen credit cards.

Acting Chief Judge Michael McInerney said was "particularly reprehensible" as it left a woman with cerebral palsy trapped in France when her flights were cancelled mid-trip.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she was still paying off debts incurred after she and her family were stuck in France.

"We had to sleep rough or go hungry," the woman said.

Another woman recruited by Boyton to sell goods on Ebay said she received threats from angry buyers who fell victim to Boyton's scams.

"She was placed in this position so as to protect the prisoner," Judge McInerney said.

The court heard Boyton had details of more than 160,000 fake credit cards.

He also had stolen credit card details that he would verify by making small donations to charities.

Boyton denied any wrongdoing when first interviewed in 2012 but later pleaded guilty to 34 charges for online fraud totalling about $100,000.

His lawyer told the court on Tuesday Boyton was raised in a strict Baptist household and had tried to make money to escape his "shackled" life.

Judge McInerney said whatever Boyton's background he should have known right from wrong.

"Ultimately this became a calculated and meticulously planned endeavour," Judge McInerney said.

"This offending was persistent and predatory."

Boyton sat with his head in his hands for much of the sentence hearing.

He must serve a minimum term of two and a half years.