Halifax police lay charges in chimney repair scam

Halifax police say four men have been charged with fraud for allegedly posing as a chimney and masonry company and convincing homeowners they were in need of repairs.

In a news release Thursday, police say they were called to a report of a suspected home repair fraud in progress on Jan. 6. Investigators had received similar reports between Nov. 27 and Jan. 15.

Police say a group of men were canvassing door to door throughout the municipality posing as a chimney and masonry company, using different fictitious company names, including:

• Nova Construction and Masonry.
• All Seasons Construction.
• Firmway Construction.
• Marshall's Construction.
• Rideau Masonry and Roofing.

The scammers convinced the victims, most of whom were seniors, to allow them to inspect their roofs and chimneys. They would identify required repairs and get a large cash payment for the work. The crew would either not return to do the job, or they would do subpar work, leaving the victim with a damaged or partially completed project. 

On Feb. 12, a search warrant was carried out at a residence on Hazelhurst Street in Dartmouth, where four men were arrested for fraud.

The next day, a search warrant was carried out at a residence on Battery Drive in Halifax, where officers seized documents that lead them to believe the suspects were in the process of opening a new fraudulent business.

Four men — ages 18, 23, 27 and 38 — are facing charges of fraud under $5,000. The 23-year-old and 38-year-old are also facing a charge of obstructing a peace officer.

The investigation is ongoing.

If you have been a victim of fraud, you can call police at (902) 490-5020. You can also report a scam where you haven't been a victim to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.