Four Arrested in Shoddy Tradesmen Scam Targeting Kent’s Vulnerable
Kent police have swooped on four men suspected of scamming vulnerable locals with dodgy home repairs and fake police calls. The arrests came after victims were tricked into handing over their bank cards to crooks pretending to be officers.
Hosts of Fraud Busted at Maidstone Services
On Wednesday 15 July 2020, detectives nabbed a 35-year-old from Canterbury, a 33-year-old from Loughton, Essex, a 26-year-old from Maidstone, and a 24-year-old from Ashford. The quartet was caught together at M20 Maidstone services in a van linked to the ongoing fraud investigation by Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
How the Scam Worked
Rogue tradesmen first conned victims with substandard and overpriced repairs. Then, the fraudsters rang back, posing as police officers claiming to have arrested the culprits. They urged victims to hand over their bank cards “as evidence.”
Police Issue Life-Saving Warning
“A police officer will never ask you to withdraw money or hand over your bank cards,” said Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur. “If you get a suspicious call like this, hang up immediately, wait five minutes, then call 101 to verify the caller’s identity.”
“Fraudsters often hit the same property twice — first the dodgy repairs, then the fake police follow-up,” he added.
“If you suspect a scam, contact your bank and report it to Action Fraud straight away. Remember the ABC rule: Always never Assume, Believe only verified sources, and Confirm all details.”
Stay alert and don’t fall for these dirty tricks threatening Kent’s most vulnerable.
