Gardaí have warned of an increase in fraud crimes involving bogus traders since the end of the pandemic lockdowns.
Officials typically investigate these types of crimes as theft and fraud, where it is common for the elderly to be targeted by organized criminal gangs.
Speaking of Irish IndependentA recent victim of fraud, a pensioner living in Ranelagh, Dublin, said he wanted to highlight his case as he was “absolutely determined” that those responsible are caught and warn other potential victims.
He said he was cheated out of a €850 bond for construction work, but was also asked to pay €5,000 in cash. He said he was also invited to take part in an insurance scam with the criminals who targeted him.
His case is being investigated by Gardaí in Donnybrook, who follow a specific line of inquiry. No arrests were made.
The victim, who asked not to be identified, said: “I am outraged, disgusted and disgusted by this and I am determined that no one else should become a victim of this person.”
The Garda investigation was aided by the fact that they have details of the suspected scammer’s vehicle, as well as phone numbers and access to a sophisticated website said to be linked to the scammers, who are said to be originally from Munster but are now based in Dublin .
The victim’s ordeal began on Thursday, April 14, when a young man called his door and produced a flyer about roof repairs. The pensioner took the leaflet, but at the same time another roof worker – described as in his mid-50s, tall build with reddish hair and a Munster accent – suggested the pensioner walk across the street with him to look at the roof of his home .
He told him there were “slips” on the slates and he could fix the damage for an agreed fee of €600.
The next day, Good Friday, the dealer returned. Scaffolding was erected and some roofing work carried out, but at this point the pensioner was told there was a “very serious problem” with dry rot in the roof timber. Investigations have not revealed any damage since then.
The craftsman then insisted on a cash deposit of 850 euros for the job, which was to cost up to 4,000 euros.
The victim went to his bank and got the cash.
The pensioner said the man returned the following week and “explained again that my roof was in serious condition and that it was a big job. He suggested the job would cost €9,000 but don’t worry my insurance would pay for it.”
“He then suggested that I could claim €15,000 from my insurance company, Allianz, give him the nine grand and keep the rest for me as he could take care of the insurance paperwork.
“He had said he had done this before and obviously this was an attempt to defraud my insurance company and I wasn’t interested in that.
“He then asked me for €5,000 in cash to do the job – I felt a lot of pressure at that point. He suggested I go to the bank and get the money, but I didn’t.”
At that point, the victim told the man that he had lost all faith in him and that the man had left, never to be seen again.
The pensioner appealed to people to be careful when craftsmen show up unannounced in front of their door and offer work.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/crime/pensioners-rogue-trader-warning-after-he-falls-victim-to-bogus-roofer-41587105.html Pensioner’s rogue dealer warning after falling victim to fake roofer
