Two roofers in Kent, Nelson Cooper and Scott Smith, have been jailed for defrauding elderly homeowners out of tens of thousands of pounds through unnecessary roof repairs. Operating across multiple towns, including Dover and Canterbury, the pair targeted vulnerable residents, escalating initial quotes into exorbitant sums.. Their scams were exposed through damning phone evidence, including recordings where they bragged about their illicit gains.

The Brazen Evidence

According to Kent Police, Cooper’s phone contained incriminating evidence, including a WhatsApp voice note where the pair sang, ‘Money, oh it’s Christmas money,’ flaunting their stolen earnings. Another video showed Smith on a rooftop, lifting tiles while Cooper narrated, ‘Look, they are all the same,’ implying the repairs were unnecessary. The investigation also uncovered footage of elderly victims filmed without their knowledge, alongside messages where Cooper bragged about the £2,700+ he made from jobs in Ramsgate.

Escalating Exploitation

The duo’s operation began with small initial quotes that ballooned into exorbitant amounts. in some cases,Cooper even escorted victims to banks and ATMs to withdraw cash when they claimed they didn’t have the money on hand. Their downfall began when police responded to a report of cold callers in Ramsgate in January 2025. Upon inspecting a property, they found Smith at work—only to discover the elderly resident had already paid over £25,000 for unnecessary repairs.

A Stark Warning for Homeowners

Investigating officer DC Mark Collins condemned their cruel behavior, stating, ‘Their crimes had far-reaching effects. They targeted the elderly,charging them life savings for unnecessary repairs and showing zero remorse.’ He urged the public to remain vigilant, emphasizing that rogue traders often use convincing tacics to pressure victims into agreeing to unnecessary work. The case serves as a stark warning to homeowners, particularly the elderly, to always seek second opinions before agreeing to unsolicited repairs.

Unanswered Questions

While the case highlights the brazen nature of the scam, several questions remain unanswered. According to the report, it is unclear how many more victims may have been targeted but not reported the crimes. additionally, the extent of the duo’s operations beyond Kent remains unknown. The source only reports one side of the story, leaving open the possibility of other similar schemes operating undetected.