A man who stole over €27,000 from his friends by selling them bogus holiday packages is due to be sentenced shortly.
Aaron Weinrib of Cambridge Villas, Rathmines claimed to be an agent for a tour operator and sold holidays to New York, Las Vegas and Cape Town.
One of Weinrib's victims paid €3,200 for four nights in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
Another handed over €550 for a two night stay in New York.
Both men received some documentation bearing the Top Flight logo but later found out there was no such holiday booked for them.
Weinrib was taken in for questioning in December 2010 and admitted never working for the tour operator.
He told them he made over €27,000 in the scam, which also included a bogus package to South Africa that he sold to 20 friends and acquaintances.
His lawyers told the court he used the money to keep up with his "cocaine lifestyle" having lost his job and was "acting under a fantasy".
A medical report handed into Judge Mary Ellen Ring said Weinrib suffers from anxiety and stress and has a poor coping mechanism.
The 37-year-old is due to be sentenced this afternoon.
