Community & Business
30 May, 2023
QPS: Bitumen fraud charges and appeal for information, Cairns and Tolga
QPS: Far north detectives are appealing for information about a group alleged to have performed substandard work whilst using poor quality bitumen in Tolga and Cairns.
Detectives charged four men and one teenage boy this week after fraud offences were allegedly committed through unlawful business activities in the greater Cairns area this year.
Police will allege the group approached business owners in Tolga and Portsmith between May 24 and May 26, before entering into agreements to lay bitumen on driveways.
It will be alleged business owners paid in full upfront before disputing the quality of work carried out.
Police allege three men attempted to defraud a business owner in Stratford on May 26.
One of the men allegedly offered to supply the business owner with bitumen for a large sum of money, however the business owner declined and reported the matter to police.
An 18-year-old man and a 42-year-old man, both English nationals living in Tweed Heads, were charged with two counts each of fraud and one count of attempted fraud. They are scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 7.
A 16-year-old boy from Tweed Heads was charged with two counts of fraud and one count of attempted fraud. He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Children’s Court at a later date.
On May 28, a 39-year-old Kingswood man and a 21-year-old man, both of Tweed Heads, were intercepted by police on the Bruce Highway at Calliope, where police seized machinery.
Both the 39-year-old and 21-year-old men were charged with two counts each of fraud and one count each of attempted fraud. They were released on strict bail conditions, to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court, June 6.
Detectives urge anyone who has been approached by or had any dealings with people offering to supply bitumen or has had similar work done this year, to contact police as investigations are ongoing.
Some of the warning signs you may be dealing with a scammer include:
They don’t show you any identification or give you any contact information, written quotes or receipts.
They might demand that you decide to accept their offer on the spot.
You may be asked for a deposit or full payment and can only pay by cash or credit card
They fail to tell you about your legal rights, including rights to a cooling-off period.
They will often visit you again, even after you have said ‘no’.
To help protect yourself against scammers:
Don’t be pressured into making a decision. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency through short deadlines, fake emergencies or threats of legal action.
Always obtain a written quote for proposed works.
Regulatory authorities who are responsible for licensing and regulation of various trades such as plumbing, building and electrical etc, should be contacted to ascertain if the handyman is currently licensed.
Be suspicious of requests for money – even if they sound or look official. Government departments will never contact you asking for money upfront in order to claim a rebate.
Seek an agreement with the person offering the service that all monies will be paid at the satisfactory completion of the job and not up front.
Scammers will often ask you to use an unusual payment method, including cash, preloaded debit cards, gift cards, iTunes cards or virtual currency such as Bitcoin.Verify the identity of the contact by calling the relevant organisation directly – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search. Do not use the contact details provided in the message sent to you.
Always do your own research before you invest money and check the company or scheme is licensed on ASIC’s MoneySmart website.
Be aware of and understand your consumer rights.
Consumers can request a free “Do Not Knock” sticker from the Office of Fair Trading or by calling 13-74-68.
Information for traders on door-to-door rules and their obligations is also available on the Fair Trading website
Residents can report suspicious activity by calling Police Link on 13-14-44 or lodge a complaint against a trader by calling 13-74-68.
For more information from https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams
Be aware of and understand your consumer rights.
Consumers can request a free “Do Not Knock” sticker from the Office of Fair Trading or by calling 13-74-68.
Information for traders on door-to-door rules and their obligations is also available on the Fair Trading website
Residents can report suspicious activity by calling Police Link on 13-14-44 or lodge a complaint against a trader by calling 13-74-68.
For more information from https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. QP2300868143 refers
