Paving Scam

http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/index.aspx?newsId=7ed5fc69-7219-437a-8fc5-8b32d29d8633

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 20, 2016  11:47 am 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit is warning the public about a new scam that has emerged in Ottawa.

The Ottawa Police has received complaints from people who have "hired" paving contractors who come to the door, with promises of an inexpensive paving job for their lane. No paperwork is exchanged, a verbal price is agreed upon, and when the work is complete, they charge a much higher amount and pressure the purchaser to pay.

The "salesmen" appear to be young white males, who speak with an Irish accent.

The Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Section wants to remind the public that any contractor work should come with a signed hard copy contract, and that if any deal appears too good to be true, it probably is.

Take the time to reflect on the deal before agreeing. There is no hurry to sign the deal at the door.

Remember that once you agree to the work, you have to pay for the work, so that is why it is important to get a contract before the work starts.

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http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/irish-accented-contractors-in-alleged-paving-scam-ordered-deported

Irish-accented contractors in alleged paving scam arrested, ordered deported

ANDREW SEYMOUR, OTTAWA CITIZEN
More from Andrew Seymour, Ottawa Citizen

Published on: October 3, 2016 | Last Updated: October 3, 2016 1:39 PM EDT

Four people have been arrested and ordered removed from Canada after police warned the public about an alleged paving scam involving suspects with Irish accents.

Four foreign nationals were arrested and $70,000 in cash was seized after investigators from the Canada Border Services Agency and Ottawa police’s fraud unit teamed up to arrest the quartet on Sept. 24.

The arrests came four days after Ottawa police warned the public to beware of door-to-door paving contractors with Irish accents who would quote an inexpensive price to repave a driveway or lane, only to do the work and then demand more money.

The CBSA said Monday that the four foreign nationals who are suspected of being involved in the fraudulent contract work were working without a permit in Canada. According to the CBSA, an admissibility hearing took place in front of the Immigration and Refugee Board on Sept. 27 and all four were ordered removed from the country.

The four were ordered to remain in custody pending their removal. All four are facing one charge each, but two offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Three of the four are charged with working without a permit, and one is charged with working after their permit had expired.

The quartet is being held until arrangements can be made to remove them. Their names were not released.

Ottawa police warned the public about the contractors after receiving complaints from residents who had hired them. Police said the contractors wouldn’t provide any paperwork and agree upon a verbal price, but when the work was completed, they charged a much higher amount and pressured the purchaser to pay.

The police described the “salesmen” as young Caucasian men who spoke with an Irish accent.

The organized fraud section warned that any contractor work should come with a signed contract, and that if any deal appears too good to be true, it probably is.

Ottawa police are still investigating and no criminal charges have yet been laid. They have seized the $70,000 pending further investigation.