Tarmac scam
{{Short description|Confidence trick}}
{{use dmy dates |date=November 2022}}
The tarmac scam is a confidence trick in which criminals sell fake or shoddy tarmac (asphalt) and driveway resurfacing. It is particularly common in Europe but practiced worldwide.{{cite web |last1=Homans |first1=Charles |title=The Dead Zoo Gang: On the trail of international horn thieves |url=https://magazine.atavist.com/dead-zoo-gang/ |website=Atavist |date=17 March 2014 |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908225905/https://magazine.atavist.com/dead-zoo-gang/ |url-status=live }} Other names include the paving scam, tarmacking, the asphalt scam, driveway fraud or similar variants. Non-English names include "{{lang|it|Truffa dell'asfalto|italic=no}}" (Italian), "{{lang|de|Teerkolonne|italic=no}}" (German) and "{{lang|fr|faux bitumeurs|italic=no}}" (French).{{cite book |last1=Dillon |first1=Eamon |title=Gypsy empire: uncovering the hidden world of Ireland's Travellers |date=2013 |location=London |isbn=9781848271692 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mcqRAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA204 |pages=204–213 |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912223339/https://books.google.com/books?id=mcqRAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA204 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Willsher |first1=Kim |last2=Carroll |first2=Rory |title=Eight men convicted in French court for trafficking rhino horn and ivory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/08/eight-men-convicted-in-french-court-for-trafficking-rhino-horn-and-ivory |website=The Guardian |date=8 September 2021 |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908221942/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/08/eight-men-convicted-in-french-court-for-trafficking-rhino-horn-and-ivory |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Les faux "bitumeurs irlandais" enrobent de nouvelles victimes |url=https://www.lindependant.fr/2012/05/28/les-bitumeurs-irlandais-de-retour,141418.php |website=L'Indépendant |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911041449/https://www.lindependant.fr/2012/05/28/les-bitumeurs-irlandais-de-retour,141418.php |url-status=live }}
Method
A conman typically goes door-to-door, claiming to be a builder working on a contract who has some leftover tarmac, and offering to pave a driveway at a low cost.{{cite web |last1=Mead |first1=Matthew |title=Tarmac Scam Operating in North Shropshire |url=https://www.hugofox.com/community/bomere-heath-district-parish-council-10134/news/tarmac-scam-operating-in-north-shropshire-11920 |website=Hugo Fox |publisher=Bomere Heath & District Parish Council |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912225453/https://www.hugofox.com/community/bomere-heath-district-parish-council-10134/news/tarmac-scam-operating-in-north-shropshire-11920 |url-status=live }}
The paving is in fact often simply gravel chippings covered with engine oil, or not the right depth and type of materials to form a lasting road surface. Milk has been used to make a fake sealant.{{cite news |title=Tomney family from Cleveleys jailed for driveway fraud |work=BBC News |date=7 November 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-15622785 |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908234156/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-15622785 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Day |first1=Tim |title="What's going on 'ere, then?" An empirical exploration of the anatomy of rogue trading incidents |url=https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/whats-going-on-ere-then |publisher=University of Portsmouth |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911043033/https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/whats-going-on-ere-then |url-status=live }}
The conmen may target elderly, vulnerable residents,{{cite web |title=Stanleys convicted in paving scams |url=https://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/local-news/2010/12/27/9-stanleys-convicted-in-paving-scams/ |website=Nashua Telegraph |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=2 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902213713/http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/local-news/2010/12/27/9-stanleys-convicted-in-paving-scams |url-status=live }}{{cite book |last1=Alt |first1=Betty Sowers |title=Fleecing grandma and grandpa : protecting against scams, cons, and frauds |date=2004 |publisher=Praeger |location=Westport, Conn. |isbn=9780275981792 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-wQlCXZllv8C&pg=PA26 |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911050023/https://books.google.com/books?id=-wQlCXZllv8C&pg=PA26 |url-status=live }} and claim to be official contractors working on roadworks to add credibility.{{cite web |title=Tarmac scam |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/archive/tarmac-scam-04-05-2006/ |website=Construction News |date=4 May 2006 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912225453/https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/archive/tarmac-scam-04-05-2006/ |url-status=live }} Reported escalation has included increasing the cost, claiming that the job has required more material than expected, and making threats.{{cite web |last1=Penman |first1=Andrew |title=Meet the conman who took the old driveway resurfacing scam to new lows |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/meet-conman-who-took-old-13196911 |website=Daily Mirror |date=5 September 2018 |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908223734/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/meet-conman-who-took-old-13196911 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Tarmac Scam Warning |url=http://news.wales/news/14572-tarmac-scam-warning.html |website=News.wales |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908223726/http://news.wales/news/14572-tarmac-scam-warning.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Tarmac scam artists continue |url=https://www.farmersjournal.ie/tarmac-scam-artists-continue-155913 |website=Irish Farmers Journal |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911043038/https://www.farmersjournal.ie/tarmac-scam-artists-continue-155913 |url-status=live }}
Criminals
File:Art deco cinema, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick - geograph.org.uk - 581939.jpg, County Limerick, Ireland, the base of many tarmac scam gangs]]
Tarmac fraud is particularly associated with the Rathkeale Rovers and other gangs from the Irish traveller community.{{cite news | url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-02/the-irish-clan-behind-europes-rhino-horn-theft-epidemic#p3 | last=Higginbotham | first=Adam | title=The Irish Clan Behind Europe's Rhino-Horn Theft Epidemic | newspaper=Bloomberg.com | date=2 January 2014 | accessdate=5 March 2014 | archive-date=18 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218024259/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-02/the-irish-clan-behind-europes-rhino-horn-theft-epidemic#p3 | url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Foy |first1=Ken |title=From rhino horn theft to tarmac scams and now forged Covid test results – the Rathkeale Rovers gang's criminal reach extends worldwide |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/from-rhino-horn-theft-to-tarmac-scams-and-now-forged-covid-test-results-the-rathkeale-rovers-gangs-criminal-reach-extends-worldwide-40041966.html |newspaper=Independent |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=30 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930211454/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/from-rhino-horn-theft-to-tarmac-scams-and-now-forged-covid-test-results-the-rathkeale-rovers-gangs-criminal-reach-extends-worldwide-40041966.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Dillon |first1=Eamon |title='From Africa to Iceland, Norway to New Zealand, Rathkeale Rovers' Travellers have dealt in everything from tarmac to rhino horn' |url=https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/world-crime/from-africa-to-iceland-norway-to-new-zealand-rathkeale-rovers-travellers-have-dealt-in-everything-from-tarmac-to-rhino-horn-40059841.html |website=Sunday World |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908224328/https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/world-crime/from-africa-to-iceland-norway-to-new-zealand-rathkeale-rovers-travellers-have-dealt-in-everything-from-tarmac-to-rhino-horn-40059841.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Dillon |first1=Eamon |title=Arrest warrants issued for Irish trio in France after being convicted over tarmacking scam |url=https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/irish-crime/arrest-warrants-issued-for-irish-trio-in-france-after-being-convicted-over-tarmacking-scam-40690344.html |website=Sunday World |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908230201/https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/irish-crime/arrest-warrants-issued-for-irish-trio-in-france-after-being-convicted-over-tarmacking-scam-40690344.html |url-status=live }} The organiser of the scheme may lead a gang of low-paid workers, or human trafficking victims.{{cite news |last1=Simpson |first1=John |last2=Schlesinger |first2=Fay |title=British men trafficked abroad by slave gangs |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/british-men-trafficked-abroad-by-slave-gangs-xr70v3wmmwv |website=The Times |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909184956/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-men-trafficked-abroad-by-slave-gangs-xr70v3wmmwv |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Holt |first1=Alison |title=British men forced into 'modern slavery' abroad |work=BBC News |date=February 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16836065 |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909184956/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16836065 |url-status=live }} Cases have been reported since the 1980s.{{cite book |last1=Mandelstam |first1=Michael |title=Safeguarding adults and the law |date=2013 |publisher=Jessica Kingsley Publishers |location=London |isbn=9780857006264 |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gInmd8VDlIsC&pg=PA616 |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111210727/https://books.google.com/books?id=gInmd8VDlIsC&pg=PA616 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Gypsy Paver Season Here |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_michigan-roads-and-construction_1980-06-05_77_23/page/3/mode/1up?q=fullilove |access-date=11 September 2021 |work=Michigan Roads & Construction |date=5 June 1980}}{{cite web |title=Gang in pounds 2m tarmac fraud jailed |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/gang-in-pounds-2m-tarmac-fraud-jailed-1441296.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/gang-in-pounds-2m-tarmac-fraud-jailed-1441296.html |archive-date=2022-05-26 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The Independent |date=5 October 1994 |access-date=8 September 2021}}{{cite web |title=Honours for work of police officers |url=https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7350784.honours-for-work-of-police-officers/ |website=Gazette and Herald |date=9 May 2002 |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911043029/https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7350784.honours-for-work-of-police-officers/ |url-status=live }}
Irish crime reporter Eamon Dillon, an expert on the gangs involved, interviewed a builder who worked with a gang who said that they had custom-built lorries which could never do a proper job: "a proper tarring lorry will have sixty jets, our tar lorries have eight". In another case, the equipment was rented in Romania and then never returned. Another gang used a lorry with Highways Agency branding.
The relative mundanity of tarmacking may have made it a low priority for law enforcement. Dillon has estimated that the scheme may earn up to $140 million a year and that in 2010 there were 20 gangs active in Italy alone, earning €2 million a week.{{cite web |last1=Dillon |first1=Eamon |title=Irish travellers from Rathkeale hit Italian and French householders in tarmac scam |url=https://www.dilloninvestigates.com/2010/02/irish-travellers-rathkeale-hit-italian-french-householders-tarmac-scam/ |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908225908/https://www.dilloninvestigates.com/2010/02/irish-travellers-rathkeale-hit-italian-french-householders-tarmac-scam/ |url-status=live }}
References
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{{Scams and confidence tricks|state=expanded}}