Bitumen scammers resurface, police issue warning

The travelling conmen were recently spotted in Wangaratta.

As part of the scam, business and private property owners will be approached.

The scammers will say they've been working on local roads and have excess bitumen they need to get rid of at a cut price.

A cheap quote will be offered, and they will usually ask for half or all of the cash upfront.

A police spokesman said the scammers were known for undertaking poor quality work.

"They use cheap material, do a substandard job and then they disappear," the officer said.

"They were seen in Wangaratta recently.

"People just need to be wary of anyone offering cheap services.

"It comes at a cost."

The scammers generally prey on vulnerable people.

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An initial figure might be agreed on before the scammers up the price and become hostile.

Victims will often be told not to drive vehicles on the new bitumen for days to let it properly set.

When it is driven on, problems become apparent, and the workers will have moved on to another area.

One crew has a business number and high quality website, but provides poor quality work.

Foreign tourists often complete the work and victims often need legitimate tradespeople to fix the problems.

"If anyone sees any suspicious people offering cheap bitumen, they should contact police," the spokesman said.

People should request a written quote before any work is undertaken.

The conmen have also been spotted in central Victoria in recent days.

Similar incidents have been reported throughout Australia in recent years.

The scammers operate in a similar manner in each area.

Police are keeping an eye out for them after the recent sightings in Wangaratta.

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