A conman who defrauded elderly residents in Hampshire out of thousands of pounds through fake guttering work has been sentenced to three years imprisonment at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Paul Tapp, 42, targeted vulnerable victims in Fareham and Horndean during a three-day spree between 27th and 29th June 2022, attempting to steal a total of £41,500 through elaborate doorstep scams.
Fareham Victim Targeted for £36,000
The Hatfield resident approached an elderly man in his 80s at his Fareham home, offering guttering services and demanding a £5,000 deposit. Despite receiving payment, Tapp completed no work that day.
He returned the following day requesting another £5,000 for materials before presenting an invoice for £36,000 for garage gutter work. On his third visit, Tapp collected additional payment and instructed the victim to tell his bank the money was for his “son-in-law” if questioned about the transactions.
The scam unravelled when a cleaner became suspicious and contacted the victim’s son, who immediately called police. Officers arrested Tapp at the scene.
Second Victim in Horndean
Tapp also targeted a woman in her 60s at her Horndean address, claiming her guttering required replacement and quoting £5,500 for the work. The victim paid £2,500 in cash on the day, with the remainder requested through bank transfer and cheque.
When Tapp called the next day claiming additional funds were needed, the woman became suspicious and contacted Action Fraud and her bank to cancel the transferred money.
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Court Proceedings
Following investigation, Tapp from Swallow Gardens, Hatfield, was charged with two counts of fraud by false representation. He pleaded guilty to both charges when he appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court in April.
On Monday 16th June, he received a three-year prison sentence at the same court.
Police Response
DC Josh Seaman, the investigating officer, commented: “Rogue traders and doorstep criminals routinely prey on the elderly and vulnerable members of our community, often using confusion tactics or coercion in order to extort them out of vast sums of money.
“In this case, Tapp attempted to defraud one person out of £36,000 and another out of £5,500.
“Criminals like Tapp are a blight on our community, but it is down to community spirit and community intelligence that we can drive these offenders out of our areas. We urge people to continue to report suspicious activity to the police, to look out for your vulnerable neighbours, friends or relatives, and to report crime to Action Fraud or the police.”
Police encourage residents to familiarise themselves with doorstep crime advice available on Hampshire Constabulary’s website and share the information with anyone who might benefit from reading it.
