Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge is again warning the public to avoid itinerant scammers touting for bitumen laying work, following reports this week of bitumen bandits active in the Riverina district.

Ms Judge said NSW Fair Trading had run a statewide campaign last year to urge people not to deal with itinerants.

“Bitumen bandits are a perennial problem for Fair Trading and the unsuspecting public,” she said.

“Their modus operandi is consistent – they do dodgy work, demand cash and vanish.

“They target the trusting, clearly run a convincing line and move around quickly to avoid detection.”

The elderly and people in regional and rural areas are often a target.

Fair Trading is seeking help from the public and the media in tracking and bringing bitumen bandits to task.

The public should call Fair Trading on 13 32 20 with any sightings of bitumen bandits.

Some bandits are domestic gangs and individuals known to Fair Trading and police.

Others are in Australia on visas doing hit and run rorts, before moving to other countries to run the same or similar scams.

“In every case, consumers are conned and it is impossible for them to recover their money.”

Ms Judge said if you see them in your street or anywhere in your community, let Fair Trading know and where possible get car registration details.

“Time is of the essence, so the faster Fair Trading gets information on these scammers, the more quickly they can pursue them,” she said.

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