A family in South Australia has fallen victim to a driveway resurfacing scam, losing approximately $10,000 to fraudsters who presented themselves as contractors offering discounted services.
The con artists performed subpar and incomplete work, subsequently demanding an additional payment that was nearly twice the originally agreed-upon price to complete the job.
Consumer Business Services (CBS) in South Australia is currently investigating six complaints associated with this scheme, dubbed the “bitumen bandits.”
The incident occurred in the Riverland region, where Thuc Vu and his wife were approached by an individual named “Warren” while they were at their grocery store. Warren claimed to be part of a road resurfacing crew with surplus bitumen from a nearby project, stating that they wished to avoid transporting it back to Melbourne.
He proposed to resurface the family’s driveway for just under $10,000, covering only the material costs. Mr. Vu expressed his concern for the workers, while his son Vinnie noted that the workers had a compelling narrative.
“My father agreed to the deal, but only if they had enough material for the entire area,” Vinnie explained, adding that the workers pressured his father into making the payment.
After Mr. Vu consented, he observed that the tools and equipment being used were inadequate for the task. When he inquired about the equipment, the workers insisted it was suitable for the job.
Within two hours, the result was a small, uneven patch of bitumen on their gravel driveway. “Then I realized that was their plan,” Mr. Vu remarked.
He was then informed that in order to complete the job, an additional charge of $21,000 would be necessary. “It felt like a heart-drop moment,” Vinnie recalled.
Ultimately, the family decided to reject further services from the group and will now have to spend more money to rectify their driveway’s condition.
Reports of the “bitumen bandits” have also emerged from regions such as Barossa, O’Halloran Hill, and the Yorke Peninsula, prompting CBS to take action. Commissioner Brett Humphrey indicated that the ongoing investigations could reveal connections between these incidents.
“While it’s challenging to verify if it’s the same company, the timing and locations suggest some level of coordination,” he commented. Consumers have been left with significant expenses to repair the damage caused by these scammers.
This type of scam has been reported in both South Australia and Western Australia for several years, with the WA government highlighting links to international scammers in 2023.
CBS has warned that these fraudsters often employ intimidation tactics and may use legitimate business names on marketing materials to deceive potential customers.
The offenders are known for violating consumer protection laws, including pressuring customers for payment, neglecting the mandatory 10-business-day cooling-off period, and making false claims. Commissioner Humphrey urged consumers to research businesses thoroughly before engaging their services, stating, “Many of these cases have proven difficult to pursue.”
He advised, “Ensure you are satisfied with the quality of work before making any payments.” CBS has indicated that offenders will need to face legal action for victims to receive any form of compensation.
Mr. Vu’s family has reported their experience to CBS in hopes of preventing others from falling prey to similar scams. “The best advice is to hire local professionals for such jobs,” Mr. Vu concluded, reflecting on their costly lesson.
