Two rogue traders who scammed elderly victims out of thousands of pounds for unnecessary building work have been ordered by the court to repay more than £100,000. The criminals, Sonny Maughan and Emmanuel Scarrott, targeted vulnerable people in Herne Bay, Longfield, and Greenwich, offering fake roof and chimney repairs at extortionate prices.
Maughan and Scarrott often caused damage to the properties themselves, using substandard materials and methods to charge their victims excessive amounts for work that was never needed.
In a separate case, Scarrott posed as a police officer investigating rogue traders and approached a homeowner in Chatham. He promised the victim a refund but claimed he needed money upfront for legal representation and VAT. The victim’s family grew suspicious and contacted Kent Police, prompting an investigation. Detectives monitored phone calls where Scarrott pressured the victim into paying more money.
The pair were arrested in November 2020 and later admitted to conspiracy to commit fraud. In February 2022, Maughan, of Brakefield Road, Gravesend, was sentenced to five years in prison, while Scarrott, of Hovefields Avenue, Basildon, received a four-year sentence at Maidstone Crown Court.
Financial investigators from Kent Police’s Proceeds of Crime Team continued to pursue the case and presented evidence of the men’s finances in court on 22 October 2024. As a result, Maughan, 31, was ordered to repay £100,000. Scarrott, 32, who had previously been ordered to repay £12,000, has since settled his amount. The recovered funds will be returned to the banks that refunded the victims.
Detective Inspector David Godfrey commented on the case: “Rogue traders like Maughan and Scarrott mercilessly prey on the elderly and vulnerable, defrauding them of the savings they have earned over their lifetimes. We won’t stop working to bring such people to justice and, as in this case, see them jailed for their crimes. Just as important is ensuring that criminals are prevented from profiting from such offences, and I am pleased our financial investigators have managed to recoup a large chunk of money in this case.”
Kent Police continues to urge the public to remain vigilant against rogue traders and to report any suspicious behaviour to help protect vulnerable residents.
