Sham Builders Pose as Police to Fleece Elderly Victims of £370k Scam
Sonny Maughan and Emmanuel Scarrott pulled off a ruthless money-making scam by tricking vulnerable elderly homeowners. Posing as police officers and fake builders, they charged sky-high fees for shoddy repairs — robbing victims across Chatham, Herne Bay, Longfield and beyond.
Rogue Traders Target Elderly Homeowners
The pair cold-called pensioners, warning their roofs and chimneys needed urgent repairs. The victims agreed—but were hit with extortionate prices for substandard work that often damaged their homes further.
Maughan and Scarrott didn’t stop there. They also hit properties in Hampshire and Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. Altogether, the con netted them a staggering £370,475.
Conman Poses as Cop to Swindle £32,500
Scarrott took the deception up a notch in Lordswood, pretending to be a police officer. He convinced one victim he was investigating rogue traders and promised a refund—if only the victim paid a fake VAT charge and legal fees first.
The elderly man was duped out of £32,500. Luckily, a suspicious relative alerted kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police, leading to an investigation. Officers even overheard phone calls pressuring the victim to pay more—with threats of jail time at the Old Bailey.
Police Sting Snags the Crooks
Maughan and Scarrott were arrested on 10 November 2020 after leaving the Longfield victim’s house in a blue Audi. Police seized multiple phones, some hidden in a nearby bush. Data on these devices linked them directly to their fraud victims, including selfies inside homes and video evidence.
Jail Time for Callous Fraudsters
- Sonny Maughan, 28, Gravesend, got 5 years for conspiracy to commit fraud.
- Emmanuel Scarrott, 29, Basildon, received 4 years for the same charge.
Detective Constable Craig Malthouse said: “Maughan and Scarrott targeted elderly, vulnerable victims for financial gain, causing huge distress. I am glad they are behind bars. Our work continues to recover their ill-gotten gains through the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
