Two Bedfordshire men who carried out a series of doorstep frauds across the county have been sentenced, with one now wanted by police after failing to appear in court.
The pair cold-called at homes, saying they were there to help, then went inside and either stole cash, drove victims to cash machines or demanded bank transfers into one of 16 accounts they controlled.
During a large-scale investigation, Bedfordshire Police found the offences had been committed not only across Bedfordshire but also in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Essex.
Sentenced in absence
Johnny Ward, 24, and Bernard Mongan, 31, both of Slapton Road, Little Billington, Leighton Buzzard admitted to a combined 34 counts of fraud after repeatedly posing as traders and conning householders between 2020 and 2022.
Last week (16 January), Ward failed to attend court but was sentenced in his absence to two years and nine months in prison for 24 counts of fraud. Officers are now trying to trace him.
Mongan, of the same address, was given a 14-month sentence suspended for two years for 10 counts.
Detective Sergeant Ann Ward, from Bedfordshire Police’s Serious Fraud Investigation Unit, said: “Ward and Mongan deliberately targeted members of our community, exploiting trust for their own financial gain.
“Their actions caused significant distress and hardship to victims. We will continue to pursue those who commit fraud and bring them to justice.”
Warning over doorstep fraud
Police say fraud is a serious crime and are urging anyone who thinks they may have been targeted to report it.
Legitimate doorstep selling involves someone offering goods or services in your home or on your doorstep, and many genuine businesses trade this way.
However, fraudsters use the same approach to pressurise people into paying for poor-value or unnecessary work, or to hand over money directly.
Signs to watch for include being rushed into making a decision, being asked for large sums up front, or being pushed into buying something you do not want or need.
Advice on reporting suspicious behaviour and fraud, as well as tips on protecting yourself from bogus tradespeople, is available in the Bogus Tradesmen Fraud – Report Fraud guidance.
