Bexhill Conman Jailed for Ripping Off Customers Out of £30,000
A Bexhill tradesman who tricked over two dozen customers and stole nearly £30,000 has finally been locked up following a thorough police probe.
Adam Reid, 40, from Dorset Road, Bexhill, ran a firm called SCS Installations (Safe Chimney Sweep). On Tuesday, 17 June, he appeared at 1 Crown Court and was sentenced to 30 months in prison for fraud offences.
Trusted Chimney Sweep Turned Fraudster
Once a respected chimney sweep in Sussex, Reid claimed links with professional trade bodies—some of which had already expired. Warning signs and complaints began piling up from December 2023, but Reid’s scams stretched from November 2022 to February 2025.
His dodgy scheme involved:
- Taking upfront deposits from customers
- Promise fake job completions
- Making excuses like illness, family emergencies, or vehicle breakdowns
- Not completing a single job fully
Most victims were loyal or referred clients, making the betrayal even worse.
Arrests and Repeat Scams
Reid was first arrested in October 2024 but kept fleecing customers while on bail. His second arrest in April 2025 finally brought formal charges and remand. Investigators uncovered his gambling and drug addiction as motivations behind his scams.
He pleaded guilty to:
- 19 counts of fraud by false representation
- 1 count of fraudulent trading as a sole trader
The court heard Reid siphoned customers’ deposits into funding his addictions while dodging work.
Police Snare Crook Behind the Scam
PC Holly Elliott, who led the case, said:
“Adam Reid betrayed the trust of his victims, using their money to solve his own financial problems. What started with one complaint exposed a serial offender with zero regard for those he scammed. It’s been a complex investigation, and I thank everyone who helped bring him to justice.”
Fight to Get Victims’ Cash Back
Authorities have launched recovery efforts under the Proceeds of Crime Act to claw back stolen money and return it, where possible, to Reid’s victims.
Spot a Scam? Here’s How to Report It
- Contact Sussex Police on 101
- Report fraud at actionfraud.police.uk
