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Help! I think mum has been scammed by rogue builders

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.25 PM

Update Thank you all for your honest advice. I agree that my mum made a big mistake but this is where we are now. He has clearly spent the money and the situation is being dealt with by the serious fraud squad and trading standards. I suspect he will be going back to prison. My mum has paid up front for extensive renovations!!! The builder has been dragging his feet for ages (I just found out about this because I had been living abroad). When I phone him to find out who is coming to the site he is hostile/lies/ignores me. He sent someone yesterday who did 3 hours work only because of my nagging. I also found out he has been prison before! He phoned mum yesterday to say he would get it done in 8 weeks but again its 09.30 with no sign of anyone and no is replying. What do I do! EDIT: I should have mentioned that he has started the work. Do you think it is worth seeing what progress is made in the next 2 weeks. Yesterday when I spoke to him he had told me he was on the way but was clearly at another construction site and hung up on me. Then he told me he had been at the petrol station which was why he put the phone down. EDIT It is so much worse than I thought. She has actually paid £150000 and he has been to prison for for defrauding customers 1.5 million. I have persuaded her to talk to a lawyer tomorrow. Thank you for your help.

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4 Answers

DEACON ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Rating: 5 out of 5
Grimsby
Trading standards, police, small claims, in no particular order. My edit… it seems pretty obvious to me that he isn’t going to return anytime soon. But this entirely your call as this is not a legal advice service. But I really do think you need the help/ guidance of a professional. Otherwise this game of tennis will last forever. Good luck.
Answered29 September 2021
16

Anonymous user

small claims/ police
Answered29 September 2021
1

Anonymous user

Hi Oh my God no! 1 you should never have paid him that kind of deposit - you were very silly there and it’s unlikely he will return it. I do not take deposits myself only if it’s a special order for something. Give him a date to return or take him to the courts. All the best and good luck
Answered20 October 2021
1

Brick House Builders LTD

Rating: 5 out of 5
Feltham
My suggestion is when you hire builder you should have your own surveyor also to see the progress in work and they can let you know how much you should pay for it.
Answered20 October 2021
1