A bogus builder who conned people out of more than £1.4 million has been jailed for five years after he was convicted of more than 40 fraud offences.
Mark Jenkins, 45, of Caerphilly, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on October 23 and admitted a single offence of fraudulent trading, which encompassed 42 complaints over a 31-month period.
This followed a nine month joint investigation between Avon and Somerset Police and National Trading Standards Scambusters teams from Wales and South West England.
Offences occurred over the past two years and the victims – believed to be more than 40 – included people living throughout South Wales and the South West of England.
Jenkins would go to people’s homes to offer a quote following contact being made through an online trade recommendation website. He would then offer an extremely competitive price giving the impression he had a large and professional workforce which could complete a turn-key project within a short construction period and could start the build with immediate effect.
He would take a large deposit for the proposed work, which he said was to pay for materials, and then ask the victims to go to a trade centre where he held a trade account and choose the kitchen or bathroom of their choice, saying he would be in touch. Invariably, the kitchens or materials were not paid for by Jenkins.
Tradesmen would sometimes arrive to start work on the victim’s homes but when they realised they were not being paid, just left the project.
A number of trade supply companies still have outstanding debts with Mark Jenkins due to uncompleted work and building supplies provided on credit, which had not been settled.
He was charged with one count of fraudulent trading under the Fraud Act 2006, relating to an initial 12 complaints. A further 31 offences in respect of consumer complaints and 14 in respect of trader complaints, relating to fraud by false representation, were made subject of offences to be taken into consideration.
Offences occurred in Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff, Penarth, Bristol (Redland, Totterdown, St George, and Knowle) and Clevedon in North Somerset.
Speaking after the sentencing, DS Adam Smith of Bristol CID said: “We were extremely pleased to get a successful conviction following a nine month investigation in which we worked alongside Wales Scambusters and South West Scambusters to build a successful case against a man who has caused tremendous distress and disappointment to his many victims. Today’s jail sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime.
“The victims had their dreams and expectations of seeing their homes improved dashed, by the callous actions of a ruthless fraudster, who has been found out. This was a highly successful example of team work at its best by those involved against a rogue trader.
Southwest Scambusters Manager Jonathan Martin said: “This successful prosecution, bringing justice for dozens of residents, is thanks to a targeted investigation across a number of authorities over a number of years. Mark Jenkins was hooked on his particular kind of building scam and has brought misery and hardship to those he conned.
“When employing someone to work on your home seek references and evidence of completed projects. You should never be asked for a large amount of the costs upfront. If in doubt seek advice from your local trading standards department.”
Lord Toby Harris, Chair, National Trading Standards, said: “I urge everyone to think twice before agreeing to have building work done – rogue traders are often very plausible so do check references and credentials before paying out any money. Even some of the reputable trading websites can be duped by fraudsters posing as legitimate traders so if you are in any doubt, contact your local trading standards department or Citizens Advice.
“Jenkins’ deceptive and dishonest tactics left many of his victims financially and emotionally scarred and I am delighted to see that justice has been served. Effective joint working between two national trading standards Scambusters teams and police has led to this successful prosecution and I congratulate everyone involved.”
Andrew Bertie, Scambusters’ Team Leader for Wales, said: “Analysis of complaint data by the regional intelligence analysts within the two Scambusters teams was crucial to this investigation. Early liaison between Wales Scambusters and the South West Scambusters teams developed an agreement to gather the evidence of the fraudulent activity within their respective regions which demonstrated the extent of Jenkins’ activity.
“The assistance provided by Avon and Somerset Police, not only with the arrest phase, which prevented Jenkins continuing to target victims but with the prosecution of this prolific fraudster, was vital. Jenkins was destroying the lives of those he engaged with and has left many with financial hardship for the rest of their lives”.