Cardinia furniture scam: Woman allegedly fleeces thousands of dollars from dozens of victims
An alleged scammer from Cardinia has disappeared with tens of thousands of dollars after promising to make furniture for dozens of people across Melbourne, with victims saying they have faced months of “ongoing stress” trying to get their cash back.
South East
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An alleged serial scammer in Cardinia has fleeced tens of thousands of dollars from at least 30 victims after promising to make furniture, but instead disappearing with their money.
The Leader has spoken to dozens of alleged victims from Melbourne and other states, which have been allegedly scammed by Cardinia-based business Dembridge lane, which specialises in recycled timber furniture.
At least 30 victims allege Emma Adlam, also known as Emma Lou, took money from her victims upfront for timber items including doors and tables, but then disappeared with the money.
It’s understood Ms Adlam owes more than $50,000 to her alleged victims, but they have no way of reaching her as her Facebook business page has been deleted and her mobile switched off.
In most cases, she allegedly strung her victims along for months, giving them a raft of excuses as to why items weren’t ready, from her work shed being flooded to her delivery driver being injured after breaking his leg.
The Leader has seen several text and Facebook messages relating to the claims.
Laura Moran said she faced months of ongoing stress after spending almost $4000 in November for three barn doors she never received.
“It’s been such a stressful time, I paid the deposit months ago and then I was given so many excuses including the delivery driver had hurt himself and then on another occasion he had quit,” Ms Moran said.
“Then after being fed up with the excuses, I said I would go and pick the doors up myself from her but was told that morning her shed was flooded,” she said.
“On May 17 she agreed to refund me, but now we’ve had to get solicitors involved.
“It’s so frustrating for everyone, she needs to do the right thing and return our money.”
Sophie Lamberton, from Phillip Island, said she was angered after forking out $1000 last month for barn doors that she never received.
“I gave her the measurements of my door and she said it will take about four weeks and I paid her a $500 deposit,” Ms Lamberton said.
“But then five to six days later, she sends me a text messaging saying she had managed to complete my door … and asked for the $500 deposit to be dropped into her account as she would have her delivery driver deliver it to me,” she said.
Ms Lamberton said she questioned paying the remaining $500 as she had not received the goods yet.
“I was assured it would be delivered to me the next day and I thought her business page was reputable, so I paid the remaining amount.
“But then the next day the delivery driver didn’t turn up and I had been messaging her all day and heard nothing until after 3pm, she then apologised saying her delivery driver was running behind and that he would deliver the goods the next day.”
She said she then tried to contact Ms Adlam several times, but she didn’t return her calls or text messages.
“I then looked deeper into business and saw there were dozens of other people that had complained about her after experiencing the same issues, it’s just so shocking.”
Ms Lamberton has reported Ms Adlam to Pakenham and Cowes police station.
Other alleged victims have told Leader they have taken legal action against her including VCAT.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating a series of alleged online wooden furniture scams this year.
The spokeswoman said it was believed five victims bought timber wood pieces from an online marketplace and made a substantial deposit payment.
“Once they paid the deposit the online business ceased all contact, leaving the victims without their items or their money back,” she said.
The alleged deceptions occurred on April 1, May 5, May 20, July 31 and August 5.
The investigation remains ongoing and detectives urge anyone with information in relation to the scam to come forward to police.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Despite several attempts, Ms Adlam could not be reached for comment.
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