A ‘professional conman’ who defrauded vulnerable victims out of more than £500,000 has been banned indefinitely from cold calling and selling home improvement products.
Joseph Anthony Oliver, of Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison in July 2024 after pleading guilty to two counts of participating in a fraudulent business under the Companies Act 2006. He was also disqualified from being a company director for 10 years.
His successful prosecution followed a co-ordinated investigation by Isle of Anglesey Trading Standards, the National Trading Standards Wales Regional Investigation Team and Lancashire Trading Standards. It had been funded by National Trading Standards.
Their investigations into Oliver identified a total of 39 victims aged between 53 and 93 years old, nine of which were Anglesey residents. Individual victims were defrauded of between £60 & £120,000, with a total fraud value calculated in excess of £500,000. His crimes had a detrimental effect on the health of the victims, who described Oliver as ‘calculating’, ‘manipulative’, ‘ruthless’ a ‘professional conman’.
During sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts described Oliver as a man who “exploited elderly and vulnerable victims” through “appalling dishonesty”.
Last month, he was also served with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) at Mold Crown Court. During a hearing, he was told that he isprohibited indefinitely from:
- Being involved in any capacity whatsoever in any business that engages in any sort of ‘cold calling’ to members of the public with a view to selling, or obtaining leads for the selling, of any product.
- Being involved in any capacity whatsoever in any business that sells any home improvement products or warranties, guarantees or similar to consumers which involves or may involve the defendant engaging directly with any consumer at their home address.
As a result of the Proceeds of Crime Act, Oliver will also have to pay a total of £7,612.61 in compensation to the three victims who suffered the biggest losses, including one from Anglesey. If Oliver comes into money, there is also an option of going back for confiscation of the rest of the criminal benefit figure – up to £1.2m.
Anglesey’s Public Protection portfolio holder, Councilor Nicola Roberts, said, “Exploiting vulnerable individuals in this manner is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We commend the bravery of the victims who helped Trading Standards Officers to bring this man to justice.
“Sadly, the level of compensation these three victims will receive pales into insignificance compared to the suffering caused by Oliver. However, I’m pleased that – working with our partners – that we’ve managed to secure some recompense on their behalf and that we also have the option of returning to the courts to secure more compensation.”
She added, “If any resident has experienced problems of this nature or has concerns about the trading practices of a particular trader, they are encouraged to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 if not for their own benefit, to help us to protect other vulnerable members of the community.”
Those who believe they may be the victims of fraudsters can also contact Action Fraud via the website: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime
