A group of victims in Kent united to catch Lewis Blake, a fraudulent tradesman from Whitstable who took deposits totaling £64,774 from 89 people. Blake, who worked as a window shutter installer, spent the stolen funds on personal expenses instead of completing the promised work.
Neil Sherwood, one of the victims, helped organize the effort by using social media to connect with others who had been scammed. His post attracted around 70 people with similar experiences, all of whom had paid Blake upfront but never received the work. The group reported him to the police, which led to his arrest.
Blake, who pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. His crimes took place between August 2020 and May 2021, during which he claimed excuses such as shipping delays and the pandemic to justify his failure to complete the work. Despite his polite and professional demeanor, Blake deceived his victims, citing fabricated reasons for his lack of progress.
Blake’s victims, including elderly individuals, young families, and people with disabilities, reported feeling deeply violated. Mr. Sherwood, who had paid a £1,000 deposit, shared, “He didn’t care about the people he was stealing from. It was heartbreaking.”
The investigation revealed that Blake spent the stolen money on gambling and pornography. Det Con Beth Brimmicombe-Wood expressed that the victims felt betrayed by someone they had trusted to come into their homes.