Økokrim, the Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime, has issued a warning about criminal tradesmen who aim to deceive their customers. This year, these fraudulent craftsmen have expanded their operations to include large parts of southern Norway and Trøndelag.
Traditionally, these criminal actors have been concentrated in southern and eastern Norway. However, they have now extended their reach to other regions, targeting homeowners in search of repair and renovation services. The criminals often approach private homes or respond to advertisements on popular websites such as finn.no, anbudstorget, or mittanbud.
To gain the trust of their potential victims, these deceitful craftsmen offer free inspections and point out defects or damages. They then propose repairs at a low price, often requesting advance payment. Once the work has commenced, they “discover” new errors, leading to an increase in the scope and price of the assignment. In many cases, they leave the work unfinished, leaving homeowners with significant costs to complete the project and rectify the mistakes made.
The elderly are particularly vulnerable to this type of fraud. The alleged craftsmen often present themselves as representatives of approved companies and provide references to appear trustworthy. However, their true intention is to deceive customers and exploit their trust.
Inge Svae-Grotli, assistant manager at Økokrim, advises homeowners to exercise caution when approached by tradesmen and to thoroughly check the credentials of the companies involved. Accepting an offer without proper verification can lead to financial loss and contribute to workplace crime.
The Swedish Tax Agency has also issued a warning about this type of fraud, emphasizing the risks of being cheated and supporting illegal activities.
As the criminal craftsmen continue to target unsuspecting homeowners, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to their deceptive practices.
What are some common strategies that deceitful tradesmen in Norway use to defraud homeowners?
Økokrim, the Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime, has issued a crucial warning to homeowners in Norway. They are alerting the public about a concerning rise in criminal tradesmen who are deceiving their customers. What is even more alarming is that these fraudulent craftsmen have expanded their operations, reaching not only southern and eastern Norway but also large parts of southern Norway and Trøndelag.
These deceitful individuals typically target unsuspecting homeowners in need of repair and renovation services. They often approach private residences or respond to advertisements on popular websites like finn.no, anbudstorget, or mittanbud. Their strategy is simple yet effective – they offer free inspections and point out apparent defects or damages. They then propose to provide repairs at unbelievably low prices, but there’s a catch. They request advance payment before commencing the work.
Once they have gained the trust of their victims and the work has started, these criminal tradesmen conveniently “discover” additional errors, claiming the need for a larger scope of work and a subsequent increase in the price. In some cases, they even abandon the project halfway, leaving homeowners with the hefty financial burden of completing the unfinished work and rectifying the mistakes made.
This type of fraud particularly targets the elderly, who are more vulnerable to such deceitful schemes. The alleged craftsmen often masquerade as representatives of legitimate companies, going so far as to provide references in order to appear trustworthy. However, their true intention is to exploit the trust of their customers and deceive them.
To protect oneself from falling victim to this type of crime, Inge Svae-Grotli, assistant manager at Økokrim, advises homeowners to exercise caution when dealing with tradesmen and thoroughly verify the credentials and background of the companies involved. Accepting an offer without proper verification can lead to significant financial loss and contribute to the perpetuation of workplace crime.
The Swedish Tax Agency has also chimed in on this issue, echoing the concern and warning individuals about the risks of being cheated and supporting illegal activities.
It is crucial for homeowners in Norway to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid falling prey to these criminal craftsmen. By doing so, they can protect themselves from financial loss and play a vital role in combating this deceptive practice.
