Rushden man conned out of £1,800 by rogue traders who used dead rat as part of their ruse

The rogue traders are being hunted by police
File picture. Copyright: Getty ImagesFile picture. Copyright: Getty Images
File picture. Copyright: Getty Images

Rogue traders who took £1,800 from a man in Rushden after inventing a rat problem are the subject of a police enquiry.

Officers have today released details of the incident started on Monday (May 10) at 9am, when the victim had a knock to his door where a man offered to cut down a tree in the garden.

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The victim agreed and £240 was paid for the work. Two more men arrived and work started, however a short time later, one of the men showed the victim a dead white rat by the tree in question and stated there was a rodent problem which they could deal with for another £1,800.

A woman claiming to be a neighbour then turned up and said she would pay part of the fee and encouraged the victim to pay the rest. £500 was then taken as a deposit from the victim the next day.

On Wednesday (May 12) a man arrived to collect the rest of the money.

There turned out to be no issue with rodents in the area.

The first suspect is described as a clean shaven white man, aged 35-45, about 5ft 9in, of muscular build, with short dark hair and wearing a yellow coat with reflective stripes and a t-shirt. His teeth looked false.

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The second suspect is described as a clean shaven white man, aged 20-25, about 5ft 9in, with short, light brown hair and wearing a silver jacket and black trousers.

The third suspect is described as a white man with a tanned complexion, aged 25-35, about 5ft 9in, of average build, with short, dark black hair and black stubble, wearing a grey t-shirt with writing on it and black shorts with dark trainers.

The female suspect is described as white, aged 20-30, about 5ft 9in, of slim build with brown hair in a bun and wearing a dark grey sweatshirt and ripped jeans.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

An 18-year-old man arrested in connection with this incident has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Incident number: 21000261183