Dodgy tradesmen preying on elderly in Monash, Whitehorse and Boroondara
ELDERLY homeowners in Melbourne’s leafy east are under seige from dodgy tradesmen — including a Camberwell woman who was fleeced of $22,000 — prompting a police warning.
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ROGUE tradesmen have struck again, this time bluffing a Mitcham pensioner into paying $5000 for a roofing job that was never completed.
It comes after travelling conmen scammed an elderly Camberwell woman of $22,000 last month, prompting Boroondara Police to issue a public warning about the crooks.
But Detective Senior Sergeant Darryl Cullen said the criminals are also preying on victims’ hard-earned cash beyond Boroondara, with numerous offences reported across the Whitehorse, Waverley and Monash areas.
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Mitcham’s Ken Jamieson said he was walking along Mitcham Rd when a vehicle pulled up beside him, with two men inside.
They asked him if he needed his roof repaired.
“I told them I did and two hours later they came around to my house and were up on my roof,” Mr Jamieson said.
The tradesmen quoted the 68-year-old $5000 to replace roof tiles in one section of the house.
They then asked for the money to be paid upfront in a cash cheque, the crooks claimed it at the bank, and never came back to finish the job.
Mr Jamieson said the act was “low”.
“I am left with a roof that still leaks and an even bigger mess,” he said.
“It is not fair and I hope they are caught.”
Another elderly pensioner from Mount Waverley was also conned into paying exorbitant fees for roof works that were never finished.
Kaye Huxtable is now out of pocket $8500 after the tradesmen knocked on her door and promised to replace “dodgy” roof tiles.
Ms Huxtable said the man she had been communicating with called himself Rob and had a Scottish accent.
“It’s so wrong,” she said.
“Most elderly people can’t get up on their roofs to check, so you just believe these crooks.
“If I can help to stop these criminals from conning at least one person, then I will be happy.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Cullen said the tradesmen were “very active in the community” and urged the public, particularly the elderly to be vigilant.
“These criminals have no ethics, compassion or morals,” he said.
“It is important to be cautious of flyers in letterboxes or people knocking on your door and offering handymen services, then asking for pre-payment.
“Make sure they are at least from an identified company.
“There have been a number of offences reported in Boroondara, Whitehorse and Waverley — if you are unsure we ask the elderly to check in with their children.”
Last week the Leader reported a Balwyn resident who responded to a flyer was quoted $2000 for a job, despite a second quote only being $250.
The Leader discovered the business name on the flyer, Heritage Homecare, was listed as a home healthcare service in Ireland.
The business address turned out to be vacant land in Ringwood.
The Leader contacted the mobile number provided, but questions were met with verbal abuse.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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