Adelaide targeted by ‘bitumen bandits’ in alleged nationwide scam

Allegedly dodgy tradies dubbed ‘bitumen bandits’ have been travelling up and down Australia. Now, they have their sights on a new city.

Adelaide targeted by ‘bitumen bandits’ in alleged nationwide scam. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Dodgy tradespeople know as “bitumen bandits” are allegedly targeting businesses in suburban Adelaide as part of a nationwide scam, the state’s consumer watchdog has warned.

The SA government’s Consumer and Business Services said it received reports of itinerant tradies soliciting business in the Prospect area and was keen to “keep track of their movements”.

Known as “bitumen bandits”, the allegedly unlicensed traders travel from town to town, region to region targeting both homes and businesses, sometimes tracked by state and federal police.

Claiming to have leftover bitumen from a previous job and offering to do cheap work, the tradies allegedly leave behind substandard work and their customers making up the costs.

Adelaide targeted by ‘bitumen bandits’ in alleged nationwide scam. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

CBS said customers of the alleged bitumen bandits were oftentimes left out of pocket as they struggled with the cost of remedial work to fix the mess they are left with by the bandits.

Despite crossing state and territory lines, CBS said regulators throughout Australia shared information in relation to bitumen bandits to assist in catching them early as they moved around.

In a statement to 7News on Saturday, CBS said “if performing building work unlicensed, offenders are liable for an up to $50,000 fine for individuals and $250,000”.

Anyone who had encountered such individuals were encouraged to contact CBS, who liaised with SA Police and the AFP to “identify bitumen bandits and gather evidence of their offences”.

Originally published as Adelaide targeted by ‘bitumen bandits’ in alleged nationwide scam