Alleged roofing scam leaves Sydney man with disability $70,000 out of pocket
Frank Collins says he was ripped off by Irish roofers.
The 70-year-old who lives with a disability says he fell victim to an alleged scam in Sydney's Inner West, leaving him $70,000 out of pocket.
"They know when to apply the pressure when they have to," said Frank.
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Frank Collins says he was ripped off by Irish roofers. A Current Affair
"They know when to intimidate, and they pick their targets."
Frank says a father-and-son Irish roofing team from 'Secure Roofing and Gutters' knocked at his door last month, offering their services.
John Joseph Collins Junior and his father John James Collins Senior (the same surname as Frank is a coincidence) agreed to fix up Frank's shed roof and repair the roof of his main house.
The entire job was quoted at $84,000, a price Frank said was too high, but he was reassured by John Senior that their work was good and they were licensed.
An A Current Affair investigation has revealed there is currently no registered license to the John Junior, John Senior or their company.
After a few days of work, the Irish tradesmen told Frank his shed was finished, but all they had done was replace the colour bond roofing and guttering which didn't line-up properly.
Frank told them to leave, but work had already begun on the main house.
"That's when they said, 'well, we want another $18,000," said Frank.
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Frank says a father-and-son Irish roofing team knocked at his door last month, offering their services. A Current Affair
Frank refused to pay and the Collins duo left, after allegedly stealing some of Frank's power tools and prescription medicine.
When Frank recieved a link from a friend to a 'scam alert' website created by someone in the UK, he said he believed he had been scammed.
"My heart dropped when I saw the photos," said Frank.
"I realised that I'd been done."
Detective Inspector Ben Kennis is the Crime Manger at NSW Police Inner West Command.
Inspector Kennis says they are investigating whether Frank's alleged scammers are linked to another incident.
According to Inspector Kennis, an elderly woman was approached by a man with an Irish accent offering roofing services.
NSW Police have since released CCTV of a man they wish to speak to, and believe he was not working alone.
"If we identify people that may be people of interest, we'll liasie with both Home Affairs and the AFP, and we will put that person before the court," said Inspector Kennis.
A Current Affair has made multiple attempts to contact 'Secure Roofing and Gutters', but they have not replied.
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