Rogue Traders Ordered to Pay Back £100k After Scamming Elderly Victims
Two dodgy traders have been slammed by the courts and ordered to cough up over £100,000 after ripping off elderly victims with bogus building work. Sonny Maughan and Emmanuel Scarrott targeted vulnerable people in Herne Bay, Longfield, and Greenwich, pushing fake roof and chimney repairs at sky-high prices.
Scam Tactics Exposed: Damage Then Overcharge
The pair weren’t just selling dodgy deals — they often wrecked the victims’ properties themselves. Using cheap materials and shoddy methods, they convinced clients to pay for repairs that were never needed.
In a brazen twist, Scarrott once posed as a police officer “investigating rogue traders” during a separate con in Chatham. He promised a refund but demanded money upfront for ‘legal fees’ and VAT. Fortunately, the victim’s family smelt a rat and alerted Kent Police.
Jail Sentences and Cash Recovery
Both were nabbed in November 2020 and admitted conspiracy to commit fraud. In February 2022, Maughan, 31, from gravesend/" title="Gravesend" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Gravesend, was locked up for five years. Scarrott, 32, from Basildon, got four years at Maidstone Crown Court.
Following the jail time, Kent Police’s Proceeds of Crime Team pushed for the men to repay their stolen cash. On 22 October 2024, Maughan was ordered to cough up £100,000. Scarrott, who was already ordered to repay £12,000, has since settled his debt. The recovered money will be returned to banks that refunded the victims.
“Rogue traders like Maughan and Scarrott mercilessly prey on the elderly and vulnerable, defrauding them of the savings they have earned over their lifetimes,” said Detective Inspector David Godfrey. “We won’t stop working to bring such people to justice and see them jailed for their crimes. It’s just as important that criminals don’t profit from their offences, and I’m pleased our financial investigators have recovered a large chunk of money in this case.”
Police Urge Public to Stay Vigilant
Kent Police continue to warn the public about rogue traders. They urge anyone spotting suspicious behaviour to report it immediately to protect vulnerable residents from these ruthless scammers.
