Fake tradies are fleecing thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims in Monash

Monash detective Senior Sergeant Phil McCabe said sketchy characters demanding cash for repair work walked the streets of Monash, usually between October and March.

Sen-Sgt McCabe said the conmen would tell homeowners their roof or driveways needed repair, and offered “today only” deals on carpet steaming, painting or tree felling.

He said the elderly, people with onset dementia and people who didn’t have strong English were most commonly pressured into handing over cash on the spot.

Sen-Sgt McCabe said fake tradies would often leave without doing any work, leaving the roof in need of thousands of dollars of repairs — after climbing on it and moving tiles around.

“Generally they are Irish nationals or of UK descent — gypsies that travel the world,” Sen-Sgt McCabe said.

“They even hire people of Pacific Island and Indian decent from Gumtree to throw people off.

“Be suspicious of people who doorknock and offer cheap deals.”

The Monash Leader has seen flyers used by dodgy operators, who include a false ABN, a Master Builders Australia or plumbing accreditation, and offices in Southbank, Docklands or the CBD

Consumer Affairs Victoria said 14 complaints about travelling conmen had been received for Monash in the past financial year.

A resident handed over $10,000 for roof repairs in 2014 and another paid $9500 for paving and garden maintenance.

Monash’s Kim Thompson handed over $600 to a dodgy tradesman in January last year for roof repairs but smelt a rat when he pestered for more money to fix the rest of the roof.

Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz said if residents suspected dodgy tradies at their door to ask them to leave and if they refused, call the police.

If you suspect a fake, phone the travelling conmen hotline on 1300 133 408.