Monbulk police warn of Irish, English scammers targeting Silvan, Mount Evelyn
A gang of men are prowling the Dandenong Ranges, preying on elderly people and scamming them out of thousands of dollars. But police say they are easily giving themselves away.
Outer East
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A gang of Irish and English con artists are wandering the hills scamming the elderly out of thousands of dollars.
Homeowners are being urged to be on the lookout for the not-so-merry band of about five men who are knocking on doors across the Dandenong Ranges and fleecing mostly older people out of thousands of dollars.
Senior Constable Peter Edyvane said the gang, with strong Irish and English accents, were offering people driveway repairs for a cheap rate but then increasing the bill by 600 per cent.
Sen-Constable Edyvane said the gang had so far struck three people in Silvan and more in Mt Evelyn earlier this month.
“They come to the door and tell you they have been asphalting in the area and have some left over and it’s not worth taking it back to the city,” he said.
“They offer the resident a cheap deal, usually a couple of grand, and within minutes they have their machinery.”
Sen-Constable Edyvane said the men start working before the resident can change their mind and over following days they crank the price of the work up by including extra sealing agent and other items along the way.
“They then bill you for about $14,000 or $15,000 and try to pressure the resident into paying on the spot,” he said.
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“The gang come across as legitimate with business cards, a roller and bobcat, but we believe the machinery is leased and it’s a scam business.”
Sen-Constable Edyvane said the men were targeting older people and pensioners.
“If they approach you, decline the offer and ring police or 000 immediately and we’ll come and investigate,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.