Drain Fraudster Ian Baggs Jailed for Targeting Elderly Victims
Ian Baggs has been locked up for running a nasty scam that saw him rip off elderly victims with fake drain repairs. The con involved scaring residents into believing their local council needed urgent drain work. Baggs and his gang then hit them up for cash deposits — for bogus machine parts supposedly used to fix blockages.
Scam Tricks Pensioners Out of Thousands
Between 13 and 16 January 2020, Baggs targeted victims in their 80s and 90s. He convinced them to hand over bank cards, claiming he would process payments with a chip-and-pin machine in his van. One woman was duped into writing cheques for nearly £10,000.
Police arrested Baggs, 41, homeless at the time, on 22 April 2020 after uncovering that the fake cheques had been cashed into his own account. CCTV caught him using victims’ cards at shops and cash machines. Phone records linked his mobile to calls made to the victims’ homes.
Guilty Plea and Three Years Behind Bars
Baggs pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to five counts of fraud by false representation. Another 19 offences, mainly in Sussex and Surrey during early 2020, were also taken into account. On Tuesday 3 August 2021, he was sentenced to three years in prison.
Detective Constable Matt Thomas of West Kent CID said: “Baggs was involved in a widespread scam targeting elderly and vulnerable victims. The financial loss is devastating, but the stress and upset caused is even worse. While Baggs starts his prison sentence, we urge everyone to remain vigilant. Remember, council workers will never ask for money or bank details over the phone or in person. If you get a suspicious call, hang up immediately, wait five minutes, then contact the police.”
