CCTV Shows 83-Year-Old Coerced Into Paying Rogue Roofers As Police Uncover £880k Fraud Network

CCTV footage released by Nottinghamshire Police shows two men pressuring an 83-year-old Aspley resident to write a cheque as part of an organised roofing fraud that investigators say netted at least £880,000 from vulnerable people across the region.

Police say Charlie Lee and James Cunningham visited the woman’s home posing as roofers who had carried out repairs. The final payment in that series of visits was captured on a covert camera hidden in her hallway. Officers describe the victim as being "deceived and repeatedly pressured" into handing over money between June and October 2022. The woman later died.

How the Scam Worked

Investigators say the fraud followed a consistent pattern: victims were told their roofs needed urgent repairs, then charged extortionate fees for work that was unnecessary or substandard. Between August 2021 and July 2023, officers identified 11 victims, including five people from Nottingham.

One of those victims, a 67-year-old man from Nottingham, lost £376,284 of his life savings after repeated visits between August 2021 and March 2022. In victim impact statements, those targeted described feeling intimidated, bullied and pressured into making payments they felt they could not refuse.

"I felt like I was being bullied and had no choice but to write them out the cheques. They intimidated me and would not take no for an answer, so I felt little choice but to give them what they wanted," the elderly victim said in a statement supplied to police.

Sentencing And Proceeds

At Nottingham Crown Court, several defendants pleaded guilty to offences including conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and a range of money‑laundering charges.

• James Cunningham, 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and six money‑laundering offences and was sentenced to five years and ten months; he was eligible for immediate release on licence to account for time already served.
• Charlie Lee, 57, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and was sentenced to three years and ten months.
• Ben Lee, 28, described by police as having a lead role in the conspiracy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and to concealing or converting criminal property and was jailed for four years and eleven months.

Other defendants were convicted of laundering proceeds. Stephen O’Rourke admitted receiving more than £143,000 into his accounts and used some of the money to buy seven Rolex watches; he pleaded guilty to converting criminal property. Michelle Fox pleaded guilty to concealing and converting criminal property, and Cole Lee admitted acquiring criminal property. O’Rourke and Fox received suspended sentences, while Cole Lee was given a community order.

Nottinghamshire Police said it will pursue confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with a confiscation hearing scheduled later this year.

Support And Reporting

Police encourage anyone who may have been targeted by similar doorstep traders to contact Nottinghamshire Police and to seek support from local victim services. If you suspect a scam or unsafe practices at your door, do not engage and report it to the authorities.