It is reported that a group of 24 Irish people ( some working holiday visa holders) are located in a Western Australian detention centre awaiting deportation after seven of them were apart of an alleged roofing and repair scams.
Two boys, both aged 17 and 5 men were arrested yesterday over accusations they had been posing as employees of an actual roof repair business. Their aim was to rip off elderly residents in the suburbs of Perth.
Police intervene
Police said on Friday a further 19 Irish nationals, all women and children, had been detained by the department of immigration and border protection.
The police searched the caravans at a the holiday park in Hazelmere. They seized trucks, building equipment, AU$120,000 in cash and two Rolex watches, worth about $36,000 . The police then notified immigration officials.
A lady from the tourist park said the families were “lovely to deal with” but changed her mind after hearing about the alleged involvement in the roof scam.
The latest update
The men apparently told homeowners that roofs needed repair and were issuing them a business card that used the name of an actual roofing company. It is reported that the company was contacted and claimed that these scammers were not actual employers of the company.
A recent updated statement, Western Australia’s consumer protection agency announced it had obtained 39 reports of travelling traders apart of the alleged scam, 29 of which were made after the scam was made public. Some working holiday makers find themselves being scammed while finding a backpacker job.
Included cases are an elderly man who said he had paid AU$17,000 to the men to have his home and driveway painted. It is reported they painted the driveway but did not return to do the whole job. Another elderly citizen paid AU$12,000 to have a roof repaired but said the task was never completed.
If you hear about a scam please contact fair work australia or share your story.
If you’re looking for a working holiday job to keep the travelling dream going check out the job board, it’s free and easy to join.
If you have any cool travel stories please share them with the thousands of visitors we received every week.
