If it sounds too good to be true - it almost always is

Police have received a report that a team of alleged conmen posing as asphalting contractors may be operating in the Baw Baw Shire area.

Six men, all with English or Irish accents were operating in Lardner Rd, Drouin on April 16 where they undertook work to lay bitumen which was subsequently reported to be shoddy and which the victim was severely over charged.

Two of the men allegedly involved were known as “Corey” and “Robert” and operated under the business name of Premium Bitumen Surfacing.

Detective sergeant Gordon Hynd said the men allegedly travelled from door to door at residential properties with a story they were working for council and doing discounted asphalt work on the side, creating the illusion of a bargain.

Det sgt Hynd said a pattern indicated once they had been paid in advance they don’t return and any work undertaken has been reported as shoddy and needs to be re-done costing the property owner many thousands of dollars.

Police warn against taking on any tradespeople going door to door without doing due diligence and recommend getting multiple quotes for any significant work and checking references.

“Do not rely on internet based reference checks as websites and on line references are also easily faked or forged. If it sounds too good to be true – it almost always is,” det sgt Hynd said.