Greedy Fraudster Rips Off Elderly Woman for £7,000 Garden 'Renovation'
Conman Cold-Calls Victim with Fake Roof Repairs
Jack Lee, 49, from Church Road, Murston, conned a woman in her 70s out of thousands after cold-calling her home in Chatham back in July 2019. Claiming she urgently needed roof repairs, Lee pocketed £1,300 and completed the supposed work.
Fake ‘Checkatrade’ Flyer Leads to Bigger Scam
Lee handed the pensioner a flyer boasting a “Checkatrade registered” business offering services including landscaping. Convinced he was legitimate, she agreed to more work — this time on her garden and driveway. Lee demanded £7,000 in cash upfront, citing expensive materials he insisted had to be paid for in advance.
No Work Done, Phone Calls Ignored
After receiving the cash, Lee vanished. When the victim tried calling the numbers on the flyer, no one answered. It wasn’t until she saw a kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police Facebook appeal about fraudsters that she connected the dots. Police swooped, arrested Lee, and charged him with fraud and possession of fraud tools.
Judge Sends Lee to Jail
Initially denying the charges, Lee later pleaded guilty. On March 31, 2021, he was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, plus 80 extra days for breaching a previous suspended sentence.
“Lee targeted an elderly woman, using fake flyers and pressure tactics to steal a large sum of cash for work he never intended to do,” said Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur of the Economic Crime Unit.
“If someone knocks at your door, refuse on-the-spot repairs. Genuine firms won’t demand cash upfront or send you rushing to the bank. If someone won’t leave, call 999 immediately.”
