2 South East London men jailed for conning elderly in roofing scam

The pair targeted elderly residents across Kent

A duo of rogue roofers from South East London who conned elderly victims out of thousands of pounds by charging for unnecessary work have been jailed.

Nelson Cooper and Scott Smith from Orpington, Bromley, targeted properties across Kent between September 2024 and January 2025, persuading homeowners that chimney and roof repairs were needed.

Kent Police revealed that the pair – who operated in Dover, Canterbury, Ramsgate and Swanley – would begin with smaller quotes before dramatically inflating the costs. An investigation into Cooper’s company, for which Smith was employed, established that the repairs they had recommended were entirely fraudulent.

In several instances, Cooper, 39, even accompanied his victims to banks and cash machines when they suggested they didn’t have sufficient funds at home, according to police. One victim, visited by the fraudsters in December 2024, reported being advised by Cooper to inform the bank that the cash withdrawal was for Christmas presents.

When Cooper was arrested in December 2024, his mobile phones were confiscated and found to contain contact details for Smith, alongside evidence that he was deliberately preying upon elderly residents. Officers retrieved media messages containing video footage of elderly people, filmed without their knowledge, and voice notes discussing how lucrative particular areas were for carrying out fraud.

In one message to a contact, Cooper stated that all of the jobs he had completed in Ramsgate were over £2,700, while a second message noted that in Dover “Ladders are going up left right and centre”. He also sent a voice note singing “Christmas money” in reference to the money he was pocketing.

Kent Police visited a property in Ramsgate in January 2025 after receiving reports of cold callers in the vicinity. While checking a property where building work was underway, officers discovered Smith working there and enquiries revealed the elderly homeowner had already paid more than £25,000 for unnecessary work.

Smith, 33, was arrested while Cooper, who had also been present that day but fled at the sight of police cars, was arrested shortly afterwards. Both were charged with numerous fraud offences. At court they pleaded guilty and last month they were both sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court.

Cooper, of Tillingbourne Green in Orpington, received a three-year prison sentence and Smith, of Englefield Crescent in Orpington, was jailed for two years and four months.

Investigating officer DC Mark Collins stated: “Our investigation into Cooper and Smith’s criminal activities was able to show how far reaching they had been and many elderly victims there were, as they destroyed homes with unnecessary work, took life savings and then didn’t look back. When Cooper was arrested and his phones were seized, it was distressing to see how little respect he had shown people, from filming them unaware, even when they were upset about the costly repairs, to singing and joking about the money he was making from his fraud.”

He added: “Through determination to uncover the evidence needed, officers were able to bring them before the courts to stop them taking advantage of any more people. Rogue traders like Cooper and Smith are often well practiced in their scams and the advice they provide can often sound very convincing.”

The officer continued: “Anyone can become a victim of such frauds so if you are approached out of the blue about repairs needed, don’t be rushed into agreeing the work. Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion.”

Don’t miss out on the biggest local stories. Sign up to our MySouthLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more