0:00:02 > 0:00:05We're under pressure to make our money go further so what could be worse
0:00:05 > 0:00:11than when something goes wrong with our homes? Last year, we spent £15 billion on house repairs.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15But who can tell for sure that we've not been taken for a ride?
0:00:15 > 0:00:21- It's £475 in all.- 350 quid? - Yeah.- You're joking, aren't you?
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Probably about seven and a half grand.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Thanks to audacious secret filming,
0:00:27 > 0:00:31we'll demonstrate how easy it is to be ripped off in your own home.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36- I'm afraid you've been ripped off. He's not a bona fide tradesman. - Really?
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It's a lot of money for ten minutes work.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42- Were they a set-up, as well?- No! - THEY LAUGH
0:00:42 > 0:00:48Plus, we show the consequences of some truly shocking tradesman rip-offs.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51There are always going to be cowboys in every business. I was unlucky.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Having no roof is horrific, really.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58I just couldn't believe it. I was totally devastated.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Coming up on today's show...
0:01:00 > 0:01:05'Our tradesman Roger tries playing tricks with a lump of old cheese. Yes, cheese.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09'But will he convince a teacher that his kitchen is alive with mould?'
0:01:09 > 0:01:14- It smells like a forest. Have a whiff of that. - Ooh! It's like mushrooms.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18'The extraordinary Trading Standards investigation that lasted five years
0:01:18 > 0:01:22'and collared the damp-proofing con men who tricked vulnerable consumers.'
0:01:22 > 0:01:26This is something that really needs doing, I've got to find the money.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30'And Roger turns a simple washing machine leak into an expensive repair.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33'Will this Surrey man fall into his trap?'
0:01:33 > 0:01:39- All these are plugged into the same thing?- No, that's one's plugged in underneath.- Oh, that's fine.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42These are the dirty tricks of the tradesmen.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53I don't know about you, but I don't know a huge amount about trades like roofing or plumbing.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58That's why we rely on tradesmen and we expect them to be professional and to do a good job.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01And the vast majority of them do exactly that.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06It's only a small minority who give tradesmen a bad name with their dirty tricks.
0:02:06 > 0:02:12People from all over the country are telling us their shocking stories of being ripped off by the cowboys
0:02:12 > 0:02:17and many more are helping us to blow the secrets of the rogues' most commonly used tricks
0:02:17 > 0:02:21by setting up their friends and family for a visit from our very own tradesman.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25It's all to show you how to avoid being taken for a ride.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27So who is our tradesman?
0:02:28 > 0:02:31'Allow me to present Roger Bisby.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35'A builder with more than 40 years experience,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39'he's forgotten more about the building game than you or I could ever learn.'
0:02:40 > 0:02:44But we're asking Roger to go against everything he believes in
0:02:44 > 0:02:46and become a dodgy tradesman
0:02:46 > 0:02:49just so we can show you how not to get conned.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54'We've set up a few minor household problems so that Roger can go in and fix them.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59'He'll be working with our cameraman Luke, who's acting as an apprentice
0:02:59 > 0:03:01'so they can film everything in secret.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05'In a moment, we'll find out where they're playing their first dirty tricks.'
0:03:06 > 0:03:10According to Trading Standards, victims of rogue tradesmen
0:03:10 > 0:03:13lost more than £200 million in the UK in 2010.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Roofers and driveway merchants caused the most problems,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19but there are cowboys in all the trades.
0:03:19 > 0:03:25We have a shocking real-life story about dodgy damp-proofers coming up in just a moment. But first...
0:03:26 > 0:03:30'Meet Michael Hartley, a fitness instructor from Gravesend in Kent.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35'He's invited us to set up his older brother Andrew, a music teacher.'
0:03:35 > 0:03:38The best way to describe Andrew would be down-to-earth,
0:03:38 > 0:03:43fun, energetic, sort of up for a laugh, gullible.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48He's quite easily lead. What happened, he had a washing machine that was leaking.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50As a result, the mould started climbing the wall.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55'Well, that mouldy wall is the cue for our tradesman to extract as much work and money
0:03:55 > 0:03:58'from the unsuspecting Andrew as possible.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03'Luke and Roger want to trick him into believing he's got a huge problem
0:04:03 > 0:04:06'with the help of some strong-smelling cheese.'
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I've got a special prop sent with love all the way from France.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13- Have a smell of it.- I can smell it already, mate. Oh, that is fresh.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18We'll show you what this little bit of cheese does in a few moments.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Roger will plant that cheese so Andrew's kitchen reeks.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Hopefully Andrew will think he has a serious mould problem.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26The next trick will be to lie about the cause.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Roger will flannel him with nonsense about his damp-proofing course.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35Then he'll charge over the odds for a special treatment that won't be special at all.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39'It's nearly ten past nine
0:04:39 > 0:04:43'when Roger and Luke arrive ready to spring a van-load of tricks.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- This one.- 'Andrew doesn't realise that a simple extractor fan
0:04:47 > 0:04:52'would help prevent dampness in the kitchen. That costs around £30 to £50 with the installation on top.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57'Let's see if our cowboy builder will give him such helpful advice.'
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- Good morning to you, sir. Are you Andrew?- Yes. Roger?
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- Sorry, yeah. Hi.- You all right? - This is my assistant, Luke.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- Hello, you all right? - He's on a bit of work experience. You're not paying for him.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10'Oh, dear. He's failed to ask Roger for ID.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15'His brother's obviously done a great job of convincing him that Roger's the man for the job.'
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- All right are you?- Yeah, not bad. How are you?- Yeah, good, thanks.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25- Bit of damp, yeah?- Yeah.- Bit of damp. Let's have a quick look.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28'Like any trickster, our cowboy must first assess the mouldy wall
0:05:28 > 0:05:31'and build a rapport with Andrew.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36'To squeeze the most money out of the job, it's crucial to gain his confidence.'
0:05:36 > 0:05:40Look at that. That is pretty mouldy, actually, yeah.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45I'd be concerned about that. There's just loads of mould behind there.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48We'll be able to give that a bit of a...
0:05:48 > 0:05:51There you are. There's a little bit of your mortgage.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- Oh, right.- Yeah, it's horrible, actually, isn't it? Really horrible.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59I'll just go and get a torch and a little lamp tie.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02'Now for the first dirty trick.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- 'Bring on the cheese!' - It's pretty nasty, isn't it?- Mm.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12'While trusty assistant Luke keeps Andrew talking, Roger smears it under the counter.'
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- We had a problem with a heron a little while ago.- Really?
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- It ate some of the fish, so... - Oh, I see.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- That's why you put it on.- Yeah. - OK.- Herons will never...- Blimey.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27That is quite extensive, actually.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- It smells... Quite honestly... - It smells quite bad.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34It smells like the forest in here. That...
0:06:34 > 0:06:39If you have a whiff of that, that's... If it was timber in that floor...
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- Ohh! It's like mushrooms, isn't it? - Yeah.- Is it?
0:06:42 > 0:06:45'Not much of a reaction. Perhaps Andrew's smelt worse.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48'It's time now to try out one of the oldest tricks of the trade
0:06:48 > 0:06:52'and baffle the homeowner with pseudo-science.'
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Excuse me, I just want to have a look outside.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58In case there's something obvious. Oh, right.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04What they've done is, this render has breached the damp-proof course
0:07:04 > 0:07:09to an extent. You're supposed to stop at the damp-proof course
0:07:09 > 0:07:11so the damp can't climb over.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15And unfortunately, they've hacked it... Oh, right.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20See what's going on round here? What they've basically done with that
0:07:20 > 0:07:24is shoved that render all the way down to the ground, damp course is up there,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27it's on a hiding to nothing anyway cos it's a single-brick wall.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30If it was a cavity wall, it would have to jump the cavity.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35Because it's a single-brick, it's just going straight up there. It's almost like a sponge.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38'It all sounds very plausible, doesn't it?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40'But it's all a pack of lies.'
0:07:40 > 0:07:46If we coat it, we can give it a spray over with some silicone, which will just repel the water.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49'Silicone? I can smell a trick coming on.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53'Using little more than the gift of the gab, Roger's lining up a massive quote.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58'Remember, an extractor fan worth 50 quid plus a small installation fee would solve Andrew's problems.'
0:07:58 > 0:08:02What we'll do is, if we give it a coat around the outside
0:08:02 > 0:08:06and then just put this damp-proofing stuff on it,
0:08:06 > 0:08:12- erm... What will we say? 360 for that.- Right.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- If we're going to do it for cash, that is.- OK.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20'£360. That's roughly four times what he ought to be paying.'
0:08:20 > 0:08:25- Just stop the immediate problems of that mould from growing.- Yeah. - The thing is with that mould,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29I'm just concerned that it might continue to grow otherwise.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31'Well, Andrew has heard what the bill could roughly be
0:08:31 > 0:08:37'but he hasn't asked for thinking time, let alone the chance to pick up at least two other quotes.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42'Roger's also relying on Andrew not asking for a receipt. Let's hope it doesn't cost him dear.'
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- So do you want us to do that? - Er, I think so.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Yep. OK.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51OK, I'll go and get the gear.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56'So will Roger get away with this outrageous damp-proofing trick?'
0:08:56 > 0:08:59What it does is, it reacts with moisture.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04'Andrew won't really hand over £360 to this no-nonsense mould-buster, will he?'
0:09:04 > 0:09:09There's so many cowboys in this game that you don't know what you're doing really, you know?
0:09:13 > 0:09:18It seems unbelievable, doesn't it, but the idea of charging someone a fortune
0:09:18 > 0:09:23for spraying their walls with water is based on reality. It's one of the dirtiest tricks in the book
0:09:23 > 0:09:27and it actually happened to vulnerable consumers in Nottinghamshire.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36'Operation Rigsby, named after the landlord in the TV sitcom Rising Damp,
0:09:36 > 0:09:41'was a mammoth Trading Standards investigation. It took place over five years
0:09:41 > 0:09:47'and covered five counties. We're looking at several cases, the first near Nottingham.
0:09:47 > 0:09:53'Unlike the city's most famous son, Robin Hood, the ruthless con artists involved stole from the vulnerable
0:09:53 > 0:09:55'and gave nothing in return.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59'A team of six scammers, led by Paul Hilton and Kevin Christian,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03'carried out hundreds of bogus damp-proofing jobs.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09'They had just one mission in life - to squeeze as much money out of innocent homeowners as possible.'
0:10:09 > 0:10:13We know that there's definitely over 200 victims that have been involved
0:10:13 > 0:10:18and we're looking at a figure of just under about £1.5 million.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22'£1.5 million, an astonishing amount.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27'One of those targeted by the gang in April 2008
0:10:27 > 0:10:30'was 79-year-old Joan Walker,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32'a widow living in Nottinghamshire.'
0:10:32 > 0:10:35It happened about two years ago.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38They knocked on the front door
0:10:38 > 0:10:42and offered me a free service for a damp course.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46And I thought, "I might as well have it done, it's free"
0:10:46 > 0:10:48and took it from there.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54'What Joan didn't know was that she was letting a professional con man into her house
0:10:54 > 0:10:56'who'd already fleeced dozens of victims.'
0:10:56 > 0:11:00A lot of the gang's victims are older ladies that live on their own,
0:11:00 > 0:11:02they're widowed,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05they've got family but family don't live with them,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09they're struggling to get people in to do jobs for them
0:11:09 > 0:11:13and that's the typical type of victim that we've been dealing with.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17He came through the door and he walked across the living room
0:11:17 > 0:11:21and he walked across... In fact, I didn't notice anything in his hand at first,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24but he had a little gadget not much bigger than that.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27And he went down by the fireplace
0:11:27 > 0:11:30and he checked all the back of the fireplace there.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33When he got halfway to the window, then it started bleeping
0:11:33 > 0:11:36and it got louder and louder and louder
0:11:36 > 0:11:41and he went in the porch, and that was loud, very loud. He said, "Oh, dear, it's bad here."
0:11:41 > 0:11:47'These devious rogue tradesmen were using damp detection devices, but they weren't playing fair.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50'These devices can be picked up at any DIY store
0:11:50 > 0:11:53'and can be manipulated to give false readings,
0:11:53 > 0:11:57'for instance, by wetting the sensors with a licked finger or a damp cloth.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05'Because one thing's for sure. Joan didn't have a damp problem.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09'But she was already starting to fret about the state of her home.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11'Preying on her fear and vulnerability,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15'the scammers played their next trick on the unsuspecting grandmother.'
0:12:17 > 0:12:23They brought me outside, they were on about the damp course that's already in and he said that's no good.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28He said, "Now, what can I do? Oh, I know, I'll convince you
0:12:28 > 0:12:31"that it really does need doing."
0:12:31 > 0:12:36'Their next dirty trick was simple but very effective.'
0:12:36 > 0:12:41He convinced me by getting a bucket of water and throwing it all over the wall.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47When he threw the bucket of water over the wall,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50he said something about if the bricks absorb the water,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54that means, yes, you need a full damp course.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59'But bricks are designed to be porous, so water will always be absorbed.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02'The con men had Joan exactly where they wanted her.'
0:13:03 > 0:13:10Well, I felt gutted, really. This is something that really needs doing, I've got to find the money.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13So then we discussed how much it was
0:13:13 > 0:13:16and I said, "Oh, no, I can't afford that".
0:13:16 > 0:13:18And I got him down to 999.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21And I said, "Oh, all right, then".
0:13:21 > 0:13:24I gave him £100 deposit.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32After that, he came on the Monday and they did the job
0:13:32 > 0:13:35and I paid him the rest of the money in cash.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40'They had fleeced Joan out of almost £1,000 for nothing.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42'But her ordeal was still not over.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49'Later on, we'll find out how Joan got the better of those con men.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53'Plus, we'll hear from other consumers who fell victim to their dirty tricks.'
0:13:53 > 0:13:58It makes me feel angry because you take them into your confidence
0:13:58 > 0:14:03and realise all the time they've been scamming you thinking, "I'm taking you for a ride".
0:14:03 > 0:14:07'Plus, in our quest to show you how not to be ripped off,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10'Roger has more dirty tricks for a tough customer in Surrey.'
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- What we doing for the money? - What money?- 75 quid.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- For what?- Are you winding me up? For doing that!
0:14:18 > 0:14:22'But first, what about music teacher Andrew from Kent and that mouldy kitchen?'
0:14:22 > 0:14:27The thing is, with the mould, I'm just concerned that it might continue to grow.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30'Roger says his damp-proofing course isn't up to scratch
0:14:30 > 0:14:33'and that the water is leaking in, causing mould.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38'The cheap solution would be a simple extractor fan worth £30 to £50 plus installation.
0:14:38 > 0:14:44'But Roger claims he can improve the damp course by spraying on a simple silicone-based water repellent.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49'Totally unnecessary. And the charge for that, £360.'
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Right, take this gear in for me, mate.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57This is a prop.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02- This is what he thinks we're using, all right?- Right.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05'This little bottle contains nothing more than water.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10'Let's hope Andrew doesn't check the contents, or Roger's credibility could be blown.'
0:15:10 > 0:15:14I'll just put a bit of household bleach, basically.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Give that a clean off.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20'It's now 10:30 and Roger returns
0:15:20 > 0:15:24'to apply his totally unnecessary damp-proofing course
0:15:24 > 0:15:29'and wipe down the wall with a bleach solution, something Andrew could've done himself for nothing.'
0:15:29 > 0:15:34This stuff I've got on here kills any of the mould
0:15:34 > 0:15:38before it can get established anywhere else.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42And then if we stop the moisture from the outside...
0:15:42 > 0:15:48- I'm going to go out and give it a spray.- 'With the mould cleaned off, it's time to tackle the outside.'
0:15:48 > 0:15:53- The stuff that goes on the outside is this super-concentrated stuff. - Yeah.
0:15:53 > 0:15:59'As we know, the super-concentrated solution is nothing more than water in a little white bottle.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01'This light spray of water won't harm the wall
0:16:01 > 0:16:07'but nor will it damp-proof it. And it certainly isn't worth 360 quid!'
0:16:09 > 0:16:13What it does is, it reacts with moisture. The wetter the wall...
0:16:15 > 0:16:21'To maintain Andrew's trust, Roger keeps up his flow of super-concentrated waffle.'
0:16:21 > 0:16:25With this stuff, it'll breathe. So all the moisture that's locked in will breathe out,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28especially during the warm summer.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34There's so many cowboys in this game that...you don't know what you're doing really, you know.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40'After half an hour, Roger decides to call it a day.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50'So, Andrew Hartley let in a tricky tradesman without checking his ID.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54'Roger's kicked up a stink with some rotten old cheese.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00'And he's treated Andrew's exterior walls with nothing more than water.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04'So, will Andrew believe the job is done and pay up?'
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- 360, Rog?- Yeah, that's it, mate. Are you taking the money?
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- Don't trust him with the money.- No, you take the money.- Give it to me. - ANDREW LAUGHS
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Erm, yeah, that's all right, 360.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Two. Two, four, six, eight, three.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25- Two, four, six. - That's lovely. We won't worry about the call-out charge, either.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- THEY LAUGH Cheers.- All right, lovely. All the best.- Thank you.- Have a good day.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Thanks a lot.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37'£360 handed over without any second opinion, any written quotation, any receipt,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40'or in fact, any actual evidence that the work was done.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45'All because Andrew was rushed into a job he didn't actually need doing.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53'With Roger safely round the corner, it's time for our producer to pay Andrew a visit
0:17:53 > 0:17:56'and explain the truth.'
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Hi. Is it Andrew?- Yeah, speaking.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02Hi, Andrew, I just wondered if you might be able to do a little chat with us.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06We're doing a bit of filming in the area for a BBC consumer programme.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Have you had anyone call this morning, by any chance?
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- Only to put some treatment on the wall.- OK.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Yeah.- Were you happy with that? - Yep. Yeah, more than happy.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Suppose I was to tell you that it was a bit of a scam.
0:18:18 > 0:18:25- Yeah.- And that actually there was nothing wrong with your wall.- Yeah.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32'Andrew seems to be in shock. Still, he has just handed over £360 to a cowboy.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35'It's time to tell him exactly what's going on.'
0:18:35 > 0:18:40Your brother sort of, er, has got us here doing a bit of a scam on you
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- to see whether you might fall for it.- Right.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47How would you react if I told you that?
0:18:47 > 0:18:50HE LAUGHS
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- All right?- Yeah.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56All right, mate?
0:18:56 > 0:18:59'Er, what about that £360?'
0:18:59 > 0:19:05- Well done, sir. Thank you very much indeed. That was great. Hello. - You all right?- Yeah, yeah.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09I'm very reluctant to do this, but I suppose I better give you your money back.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14Roger was great. I just took it that he was a builder and he knew exactly what he was doing.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17There you are, mate. Lovely.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- Thank you very much. - Count it, cos you can't trust me.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25I had no idea anything was going on at all. Nothing. It was so well done.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28I was just happy to go along with that.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32I'd definitely question more traders in the future. Definitely.
0:19:32 > 0:19:38Andrew was such a good sport there, but what should you do in that situation to avoid being conned?
0:19:38 > 0:19:43First, always get at least three quotes for this kind of work.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Second, never leave tradesmen alone.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50If Andrew had kept an eye on Roger, he'd have seen him whip out his cheese.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54And finally, if anything goes wrong, don't be afraid to call for help.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Your local Trading Standards will offer advice.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05There are few things more annoying than when your washing machine breaks down
0:20:05 > 0:20:09and leaves a huge puddle of dirty water all over the kitchen floor.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Well, that's the scenario facing our next consumer.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16Except it's all been arranged by his wife, along with a visit from our rogue repair man.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21'Tina Chambers works part-time for the ambulance service.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26'She's been married to husband Andy, a civil servant in the police, for nine years.'
0:20:26 > 0:20:32I've decided to set Andy up because I wanted to get one over on him today. And just to catch him out.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35'Loving wife Tina has got a rodent-based score to settle.'
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Previously when we've done building work, we did find a rat.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43And he scurried off upstairs and left me to deal with the rat.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46I've told him that we've got a leaking washing machine,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49which I've spilt water down on the floor.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53'That's Roger and Luke's cue to step into tricky-tradesmen mode,
0:20:53 > 0:20:58'and spring a con that involves a leaky washing machine and a fake mouse we got from a TV prop store.'
0:20:58 > 0:21:03- There we go. There's a little bit of a sign of what is in there. - Oh, lovely!
0:21:03 > 0:21:07Beautiful. What we're going to do, we're going to put these humane mouse traps in there.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13But also, to make the job worth a bit more money, we're going to use these rodent repellers.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17What they do is, they work on an ultrasonic signal and an electromagnetic signal
0:21:17 > 0:21:21and they send a signal around the mains in the house
0:21:21 > 0:21:24and it's uncomfortable for rodents to live in that house.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30So Roger will spend a few moments pretending to fix a leak which doesn't exist.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Whilst he's behind the washing machine, the next trick will be to plant his props.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39With luck, Andy will believe him and snap up Roger's mouse traps and deterrents.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41All at a vastly inflated price.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46'Roger is calling this his squeaky-clean washing machine trick.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51'It's an audacious, ambitious scam and might not go exactly to plan.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54'Depending on the manufacturer and warranty situation,
0:21:54 > 0:21:59'a call-out charge to repair a washing machine should cost somewhere between £50 to £90.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03'Of course, Roger has his eye on a bigger cash prize.'
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Hello.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13Have I got the right one? Did you nick all this from Brighton beach?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- Washing machine, yeah? - That's it. I can do bikes, too.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19You all right with the bike, are you? I like bikes.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24'Andy's not checking Roger's ID. He could be anybody.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29'First things first. What's the all-important question that every tradesman likes to hear?'
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- Do you want a drink, or a cup of tea? - I'd love a cup of tea, yeah.
0:22:32 > 0:22:38- These are plugged into the same thing?- Er, no, that one is plugged in under there.- That's fine. Perfect.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40And that's it, isn't it?
0:22:40 > 0:22:44'Before the tea, let's have a look at this washing machine.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46'Roger, what are you up to?
0:22:48 > 0:22:54'Don't do yourself a mischief, mate. Now, he soon gets down to business round the back of the machine.'
0:22:54 > 0:23:00We'll have a little dust pan and brush before we go cos... I'm just going to get my torch out.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05'It's not just a torch he's after. It's time for Roger to collect something more important,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08'that TV prop mouse.'
0:23:11 > 0:23:15OK. I've got the washing machine out. I've had a look behind it.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18There's some promising signs of bits of food there.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Lots of things like crisps that the kids have dropped.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23The sort of thing a mouse might be interested in.
0:23:23 > 0:23:29Now all I've got to do is introduce that mouse, plant that and hope for a good reaction from him.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38'I hope he doesn't bite, Rog. No, not the mouse. I mean Andy,
0:23:38 > 0:23:42'who's obviously wondering where they've been all this time.'
0:23:42 > 0:23:47We're just trying to get rid of this other job, cos really we don't want to do it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52Yeah. I'm just trying to reach the old stopcock in the back here.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57It's just a bit of a stretch for me.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05'Tricky tradesmen often plant props or manipulate people's possessions,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07'to make their scams seem more convincing.'
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Look at that little fella down there.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Is it a big one, is it? Oh, my life!
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- Oh, you've got a few of those. - No way!
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- Is it... There's little bits of food under there.- BLEEP!
0:24:20 > 0:24:24He doesn't look like he's alive anymore, you're all right.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- Oh!- I thought he moved.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- Really? I don't think he has gone and moved.- He's been here a while.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- Mummified, is it?- There you go, give it the kiss of life.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36- Go on!- Oh!
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- Humanely dispose of it.- 'Cor, Roger, how do you get away with it?
0:24:41 > 0:24:45'By the way, Andy doesn't seem too concerned about his uninvited house guest.'
0:24:45 > 0:24:51- Do you know how big a hole they need to get through?- Oh, tiny. - It's like a biro pen or something.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55And once they're in, it's free food. They're laughing.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00'So Roger is here to sell his mouse deterrent, so a quick reminder of the facts of life might be helpful.'
0:25:00 > 0:25:07If you've got two mice, I reckon in six weeks, I don't know, some fantastic figure they multiply by.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10So you're on a hiding to nothing when they're in.
0:25:10 > 0:25:16- What's the best solution, Rog? - 'Well, whatever it is, it's bound to involve lots of Andy's money.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21'So will Andy pay up for Roger's mouse deterrents?'
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- Have you ever heard of these electronic deterrents? - I've heard of them, yeah.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28'Could he be Roger's most determined customer yet?'
0:25:28 > 0:25:34- What do we do for the money? - What money?- The £75.- For what?- Are you winding me up? For doing that!
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Hm, let's hope Roger doesn't go too far with his tall stories.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Now, earlier we heard from a consumer in Nottinghamshire
0:25:44 > 0:25:48who'd fallen prey to some dirty damp-proofing tricks.
0:25:48 > 0:25:53They were just a small part of Operation Rigsby, and Joan wasn't the only victim.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57'Operation Rigsby was a massive Trading Standards investigation
0:25:57 > 0:26:00'that targeted a prolific gang of six fraudsters.
0:26:00 > 0:26:07'They fleeced more than 200 victims out of almost £1.5 million.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12'79-year-old widow Joan Walker was one of those tricked into forking out almost £1,000
0:26:12 > 0:26:14'for a bogus damp-proofing course.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17'They did this by giving her a false reading
0:26:17 > 0:26:22'using a damp detection device and some other rather less subtle methods.'
0:26:22 > 0:26:27They convinced me by getting a bucket of water and throwing it all over the wall.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34'Their victims were spread over five counties and were usually elderly or vulnerable folk.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38'Pam and Michael Robinson from Leicestershire were on the receiving end
0:26:38 > 0:26:42'of a clinically organised visit from the gang.'
0:26:42 > 0:26:45It makes me feel angry. It upsets me
0:26:45 > 0:26:50because, you know, you take them into your confidence, if you like,
0:26:50 > 0:26:56and you realise all the time they've been scamming you and thinking, "I'm taking you for a ride".
0:26:58 > 0:27:02'In January 2008, gang member Dominic O'Carroll
0:27:02 > 0:27:06'cold-called the Robinsons to ask if they'd like a surveyor to visit them.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09'He said the service usually costs £99
0:27:09 > 0:27:13'but on this occasion, the surveyor could inspect their bungalow for free.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16'Of course, the surveyor was another gang member, Christian Baird.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20'So when he came the next day, the scam was well and truly underway.'
0:27:20 > 0:27:25He went all in the house. Nothing in there. Came out here.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Came back and says, "You've just got one problem."
0:27:27 > 0:27:32Brings us out here with a torch up there.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36He said the felt under the tiles was going rotten.
0:27:36 > 0:27:42And he said that the water would get in there, rot all the timbers...
0:27:42 > 0:27:48- And we need a new roof.- ..and we'd end up needing a complete new roof. We were sort of panicking a bit.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52'On top of scaring the Robinsons into having the re-felting done,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54'Baird now played another roguish trick.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59'He said it would cost £1,200 to repair the roof,
0:27:59 > 0:28:05'but that he could call a builder to try and get the price down. Two minutes later, the quote was £844
0:28:05 > 0:28:09'and the builder was scheduled to start the next day.'
0:28:09 > 0:28:14He brought in a piece of this felt guard to show us,
0:28:14 > 0:28:19and he just carried on, he was just doing it, pushing the tiles up,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23and then as he pushed the tiles up then this lays on,
0:28:23 > 0:28:29and then they brought the tiles down, but it took about five hours and it was dark when he finished.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33'So it wasn't until the next day that Pam could inspect the roofing work properly
0:28:33 > 0:28:36'in all its shoddy glory.'
0:28:37 > 0:28:44The front gable, there was a big piece of concrete there which he stuck back in with the silicone.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46And that fell out two days later.
0:28:46 > 0:28:52There was a tile up there had been pushed up, hadn't been put back down. It was a complete mess.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56'This cost the Robinsons £200 to put right.
0:28:56 > 0:29:02'So on top of the £844 they'd already paid, the total came to more than £1,000.
0:29:02 > 0:29:07'For a re-felting job that should have cost just £325.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12'What's more, the job really didn't need doing. Just like the unnecessary damp-proofing
0:29:12 > 0:29:16'for which Joan Walker paid the gang a similar extortionate sum.'
0:29:16 > 0:29:22My granddaughter came round and she said, "You haven't had it done, have you?"
0:29:22 > 0:29:25So I said, "Yeah." She says, "Well, you haven't decorated."
0:29:25 > 0:29:28I says, "It don't need decorating." "Ah, but it does!" she said.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33'To damp-proof properly, plaster has to be taken off interior walls
0:29:33 > 0:29:37'and holes drilled around the house and then injected with a waterproof chemical.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40'A process that can take hours, if not days.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45'The rogue traders who came to Joan's house certainly didn't go to that much trouble.'
0:29:45 > 0:29:48And then from there, we got onto Trading Standards.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53'Trading Standards officer Nicola Schofield took on Joan's case,
0:29:53 > 0:29:58'which, along with Pam and Michael Robinson's case, she was able to link with Operation Rigsby.'
0:29:58 > 0:30:01We'd had several complaints coming into the department
0:30:01 > 0:30:05about this particular company. We began to investigate that.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10And then we got another complaint in about Joan's particular circumstances.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13We came out and took a statement from her. It started from there.
0:30:13 > 0:30:19The similarity between Joan's case and a lot of other cases were the use of the hand-held damp detector
0:30:19 > 0:30:22to say there was damp in the property when there wasn't.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25And getting people to invite them into their homes
0:30:25 > 0:30:28on the basis that it's a free property survey when, in fact, it wasn't.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32'Once inside, they could fake problems which didn't actually exist.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37'A classic trick played by the gang on both Joan and the Robinsons.'
0:30:37 > 0:30:43- This is some of the paperwork you signed. Do you remember the contract that you signed?- Yes.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47- And that there is going to be Dryzone external injection, as the diagram.- Right.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51- And that's the price that you paid. - Yes.
0:30:51 > 0:30:56The first criminal act they took was inferring there was a problem with the property when there wasn't.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01It is a type of fraud. There is then other issues with paperwork
0:31:01 > 0:31:04and things like offering a guarantee that is non-existent.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07So there's other offences alongside of that.
0:31:07 > 0:31:13- That's the guarantee, isn't it?- Yes. Because I thought, "20 years, well, I might not be here in 20 years."
0:31:13 > 0:31:18'Worse was still to come. Trading Standards sent an expert surveyor round.'
0:31:18 > 0:31:24We had a surveyor's report done on this property and from his findings, he's concluded that,
0:31:24 > 0:31:29"The installation of a chemical injection damp-proof course in the external walls of the property
0:31:29 > 0:31:33"in April 2008 was not justified and therefore unwarranted."
0:31:33 > 0:31:37In layman's terms, that means that the work wasn't necessary
0:31:37 > 0:31:41and it didn't need doing in the first place.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45'But it wasn't all bad news for Joan and the other victims.
0:31:45 > 0:31:51'Their courage in contacting Trading Standards helped to build a case against this gang of six rogues.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54'In particular, the ringleaders Paul Hilton and Kevin Christian.'
0:31:54 > 0:32:01Two main people involved with these companies, Paul Hilton and Kevin Christian,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04have both been sentenced to 12 and 18 months respectively in prison.
0:32:04 > 0:32:10The other members have been given effectively community service and suspended sentences.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15'And there's still hope for those conned of claiming back some of their money.'
0:32:15 > 0:32:19We have started a financial investigation into these traders,
0:32:19 > 0:32:23and the money, the first priority would be to compensate the victims.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28My advice to consumers is to be careful about who you do business with on the doorstep.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31If someone comes to the door offering to do work on your property,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34just remember that you don't have to have it done there and then.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38Speak to friends and relatives, get recommendations, get quotes,
0:32:38 > 0:32:42and always think about who you're doing business with at the door.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49A truly remarkable and terrible story.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Let's find out how Roger's getting on now with his dirty tricks.
0:32:54 > 0:32:59'Now remember, he's been called in to investigate a supposedly leaky washing machine
0:32:59 > 0:33:06'at the home of the police civil servant Andy Chambers. He's planted a prop mouse behind the machine
0:33:06 > 0:33:11'and hopes to charge for rodent traps and ultrasonic gadgets to deter vermin.'
0:33:11 > 0:33:15- Look at that little fella down there.- Oh, my life!
0:33:15 > 0:33:18'So far everything is going to plan and with a leak to fix, too,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21'Roger could be looking at making 300 quid.'
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Some fantastic figure they multiply by.- Yeah.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27So you're on a hiding to nothing when they're in.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- This is all concrete floors. - What's the solution, Rog?
0:33:30 > 0:33:36Well, I'm just thinking. I can get you a couple of mouse traps. Stick them in there.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- We've actually got some. - Did you get anything in them or not?
0:33:39 > 0:33:43- No, nothing.- Where are they? - Out in the shed.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47'Oh, dear, Andy's not taking the bait.'
0:33:47 > 0:33:52The only other thing I can do, have you ever heard of these electronic deterrent things?
0:33:52 > 0:33:56- They send like a sonic signal. - I've heard of them, yeah.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01Erm, if I get you a couple of those and plug them in and it just sends a signal round and in the end...
0:34:01 > 0:34:05- I think the neighbour has them. - Oh, really? - They've had a few before.- Right.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08I'll get theirs of them, borrow them for a little while.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11'Ah, things are starting to get a little tricky for our Roger.'
0:34:11 > 0:34:15'Andy's just not falling for his pitch with the ultrasonic deterrents.'
0:34:15 > 0:34:19If you use theirs, then what will happen is that...
0:34:19 > 0:34:25- It'll push them back again.- ..they'll keep going backwards and forwards between the two houses.- Yeah.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30So that'll be a bit of fun. All right. OK. Well, erm,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34- which side is it, that side? The side you're joined to, is it? - Yeah.- That's all right.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38OK, erm, all right, that's fine.
0:34:38 > 0:34:43'There's nothing for it but to repair the washing machine. And we know there's nothing wrong with it.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47'Andy's wife made up the problem in order to get Roger into the house.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50'It gives Luke a chance to brush up on his banter.'
0:34:50 > 0:34:54- And you've got a rabbit out there, as well.- Guinea pigs, yeah. - Yeah.- Three guinea pigs.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58- I'll just get the old absorbent cloth, all right?- OK.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02That's a beautiful garden, isn't it? It's great.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11He's not going to go for it. He doesn't want my mouse traps, he's got a couple already.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16He's going to borrow the ultrasonic devices from next door.
0:35:16 > 0:35:22So what am I going to do? What I've got to do now, I guess, is go for that chewed up bit of cable
0:35:22 > 0:35:24and hope that he goes for that.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28That's my only chance to make this washing machine repair into something bigger.
0:35:28 > 0:35:33'Keep your chin up, Roger. If Andy isn't falling for your overtures, that's not a bad thing.
0:35:33 > 0:35:39'He's clearly a switched-on consumer. But you might still make a quick buck from the gnawed cable.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42'Maybe try some of your class-A codswallop on him.'
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- As far as your rodents go...- Yeah?
0:35:45 > 0:35:51..I'm just a bit concerned in case they've chewed through some of your cables or something, you know?
0:35:53 > 0:35:56- Do you get any trouble with electrics at all?- No, not really.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01- They never pop off on you or anything?- No.- Sometimes what they do is chew through the cables.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Next thing you know, you're getting house fires and things.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07You get a lot of that when they're in lofts and they chew cables.
0:36:07 > 0:36:14- Yeah.- Before you know it, you've got things arcing together. Sets the house on fire or something.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16I wanted to make sure you're OK.
0:36:16 > 0:36:23We can't interest you in anything else. We're not going to be able to rewire your house or anything today.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Just trying to make a crust. That was all.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28- VIOLIN MUSIC - Thought I might make a few bob.
0:36:28 > 0:36:34Life is hard. I tell you, we're going to have a really thin weekend this weekend.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37I don't think I'm going out tonight.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39It's like getting blood out of a stone.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44'I'm sorry, I'm losing it. This is almost Dickensian.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47'How soon before you mention Tiny Tim and his crutches?'
0:36:48 > 0:36:51That looks very good.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53OK, I'll be back in a second.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03He's not going for it. He's not going to get anywhere.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08So we're just going to have to try him for £75 call-out charge on the washing machine.
0:37:08 > 0:37:15And then we're just going to have to say, "If you need anything, if we can help with that rodent problem,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17"then don't hesitate to contact us."
0:37:17 > 0:37:20'There's no faulting Roger's effort.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25'Charging £75 call-out to repair a washing machine that's not even broken isn't bad.
0:37:27 > 0:37:33'But with Andy advertising his hobby on the windowsill, could there be a chance to make more?'
0:37:33 > 0:37:37Racehorses. He's a gambling man, isn't he?
0:37:37 > 0:37:42He is. Did you notice he's got horseracing in his downstairs loo?
0:37:42 > 0:37:46He's got horseracing here. Do you know what? We should have spotted the signs.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50- Do you go to Epsom a lot? - Oh, we go everywhere.- Do you?
0:37:50 > 0:37:56- OK, look, I tell you what, my call-out charge for this, minimum call-out charge is £75.- Right.- Cash.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01If you're a gambling man, do you want to do it on the flip of a coin, double or nothing?
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- Would you not do that, seriously? - No.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07I'm desperate. I'm desperate for some money.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09What's he like?
0:38:09 > 0:38:15'Roger, ten out of ten for effort. But Andy is turning out to be completely disinterested.'
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- That's running like a dream. - Lovely. Cheers for that.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23OK, my friend, that's it. We're going to try and make some proper money out of somebody.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27Somebody that cares about us impoverished tradesmen.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30I don't carry the money, you see, it's the missus. She ain't here.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34So what do I do? Have I got to wait for her to come home?
0:38:35 > 0:38:39- Seriously?- Seriously what? - Where do I get the money?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- HE LAUGHS - 'This is brilliant. This is turning into a nightmare for Roger,
0:38:42 > 0:38:47- 'who might not be making any money at all today.'- What is going on?
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Right.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56So, er, that's all we want, 75 quid.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- Sure.- Cash, yeah, that's all.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01'So, police civil servant Andy Chambers
0:39:01 > 0:39:05'has let in a tricky tradesman to fix a leaky washing machine.
0:39:05 > 0:39:11'Roger has tried to con him with a prop mouse, plus a scheme with traps and ultrasonic gadgets, to no avail.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15'Will he be able to persuade Andy to part with any money today?
0:39:15 > 0:39:17'Andy thinks this is covered by his warranty
0:39:17 > 0:39:20'and doesn't think he should pay Roger for the call-out.'
0:39:20 > 0:39:25- Right. Lovely.- Cheers. What do we do for the money?- What money?
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- The 75 quid.- For what?- Are you winding me up? For doing that.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- The call-out.- What call-out?
0:39:35 > 0:39:40- For the machine. - There isn't any- BLEEP- call-out fee.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- Where's your paperwork, then? - I'll go and get it.- Go on, then.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53I'm losing the plot here. I don't know what's going on.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56I just had a callout to do the job, I've done the job.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Now I'm being wound up.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03'At last, now you know how it feels, Roger.'
0:40:10 > 0:40:14I don't know what to do. This is turning into nightmare for me.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18He's not even going to pay for me fixing the washing machine.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Looks like I'm going to come away with nothing. He's tough.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26'Our devious trickster really has met his match today.
0:40:26 > 0:40:32'With his scam lying in ruins, Roger may have no alternative but to leave empty-handed.'
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- Do you want me to send you a bill? - No.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39'It's clear Andy isn't budging. He's stalling Roger to send the bill anywhere,
0:40:39 > 0:40:41'his insurers, the manufacturers, anywhere,
0:40:41 > 0:40:45'just as long as he doesn't have to pay for it himself, in cash, today.'
0:40:45 > 0:40:49- Yeah, but where do I get it from? - Whoever calls you out.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53- Are you joking? - No, no. I thought you were joking.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57- 'So that's it for Roger.' - OK, we're all done. Have we got everything from there?- Yeah.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01All right. Cheers, mate. I can't believe it.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06'Hurray! Andy has been the very model of a switched-on consumer.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10'He's held his ground and he hasn't fallen for any nonsense.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13'Well done, mate! And with Roger and Luke safely around the corner,
0:41:13 > 0:41:19'it's time for our producer to pay Andy a visit and explain exactly what's been going on.'
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Hi there. I wonder if you could give us a couple of minutes
0:41:27 > 0:41:32to tell you you've actually been set up by your wife.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37- What's this all got to do with? - I want my mouse back. Where's my mouse?
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- HE LAUGHS - You are brilliant.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44They did it very well, really. I believed everything.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- You didn't go for my mouse thing. - Was that you?
0:41:47 > 0:41:52- Didn't you know about the mouse? Do you know how much it cost?- I'm still thinking we got mouse problems.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56I wouldn't have parted with anything. But it was, erm,
0:41:56 > 0:42:00like I say, I can quite easily see how people do get conned into it.
0:42:00 > 0:42:06- Very well done. Very well done. - Thank you.- Hook, line and sinker, but you weren't getting no money.
0:42:07 > 0:42:12I think definitely with the occupation that I'm in with the Metropolitan Police,
0:42:12 > 0:42:17it makes me more conscious of certainly other scams that are out there.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21It's made me more aware than normal people would be.
0:42:21 > 0:42:27A lot instances that we hear of where con men have done this and done that and it seemed quite easy.
0:42:28 > 0:42:33Thanks for taking it so well, Andy. Now, the vast majority of tradesmen are honest and hardworking.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36It's only a very few who play dirty tricks.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40The crucial thing to remember is, if in doubt, keep them out.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Thanks for watching and I'll see you next time.
0:42:43 > 0:42:48'If you'd like to help us reveal how easy it is to fall for the cons of rogue tradesmen
0:42:48 > 0:42:52'by sending our trickster to visit your unsuspecting friends or family,
0:42:52 > 0:42:56'you'll find all the details at:
0:42:59 > 0:43:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:03 > 0:43:07E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk
0:43:07 > 0:43:07.