Manchester Kitchen Scam Exposed: Hundreds Hit for £50K
Three Manchester kitchen firms linked to Toni Amana Warrington have been nailed for ripping off 21 customers to the tune of £50,000. The businesses vanished after taking hefty deposits without fitting a single kitchen. The High Court shut down Smart Choice Kitchens Limited, Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms Limited, and Connect Kitchens Limited in a major fraud bust on 4 February.
How the Scam Worked
The Insolvency Service’s probe uncovered a slick con. Customers found these firms through Facebook and Google ads, paid upfront, then were left with empty promises. Director Toni Amana Warrington set up a string of shell companies between November 2022 and July 2023. Each took deposits, then declared bankruptcy and folded, only for another to spring up to carry on the scam.
- 21 victims lost over £50,000
- No kitchens were ever installed
- Multiple fake companies used to dodge responsibility
- Customers enticed via social media ads
David Hope, Chief Investigator: “These firms were simply taking money for kitchens they never planned to deliver.”
How to Avoid Kitchen Scams
Industry watchdogs warn consumers to stay sharp:
- Check company details on Companies House
- Insist on signed, detailed contracts
- Use traceable, secure payment methods
- Read reviews and do your homework
Action Fraud experts add:
- Never pay full deposits upfront
- Verify business registration to avoid fly-by-nights
- Use credit card payments to access fraud protections
- Request written quotes before shelling out cash
Victims Seek Answers
The Official Receiver is now liquidator for all three firms. Anyone affected can get help by contacting the Public Interest Unit at 16th Floor, 1 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ or email [email protected].
This kitchen scam is a brutal reminder to watch your back before handing over your hard-earned cash.
