Rodney Police are seeking the whereabouts of a man who has successfully scammed several home owners of a significant amount of cash.
Detective Constable John Taylor of the Rodney CIB says the man recently advertised himself as a builder in the local Rodney Times newspaper.
"A Whangaparaoa couple who responded to the ad were given a quote for renovations to be done on their house. The man then requested the couple pay $25,000 into his account so that he could purchase materials and have them successfully delivered to the property," he said.
"The man then further suggested that they should contact an accountant who could endorse his credentials and verify his integrity. The couple duly phoned the accountant who satisfied them as to the man's true identity and details. They then transferred $25,000 into the man's account."
"Since then the couple have not heard from the man. All efforts to contact him via a variety of avenues have been unsuccessful. Our enquiries reveal that another couple in the same area recently experienced a similar modus operandi by this man. On this occasion the couple gave him a $250 deposit."
"This person is preying on the vulnerability of home owners in the belief that because they have checked out his identity they're getting a tradesman whom they believe to be is honest and sincere. Sadly this is not the case here."
"We believe the bogus builder and the accountant to be one and the same person. The public can play a major role in assisting police to locate the whereabouts of this person."
Police say they have strong leads as to the identity and description of a person they believe is the suspect in their enquiries. They have issued the following description.
Male - Caucasian
DOB 12/04/1967 - Age 40 years
Medium Build - Height 5'10'' tall
Clean shaven - has a strong Scottish accent.
"If there is anyone who believes they have been a victim of similar scamming by this suspect we want to hear from them. We believe this man may presently be carrying out similar scams in Tauranga," said Detective Taylor.
Anyone who has knowledge on the whereabouts of this person can call Detective Constable John TAYLOR at Rodney CIB on 09 427 9829 at any time.
ENDS;
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin
District Communications Manager / Media Advisor
Waitemata Police District
12-14 Northcroft Street - Takapuna - Auckland
Phone 09 488 9758 - Extn 96308
Mobile 027 281 0271
Email - kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz