Last week, in Alcantarilha in the central Algarve, 4 men with southern Irish accents approached a lady at her home, offering to power wash a large patio area, including weed removal.
The work was also to include pressure washing of stone walls on the perimeter of the garden. They told her the work would cost €7000, but they offered to do it for €4000.
Unfortunately the lady fell for this this and two hours later, after they apparently completed the work, they asked for payment. It is unlikely anyone would keep several thousand euros at home and therefore they knew how to work a bank payment system that would ensure instant payment. The money was sent to an Irish Bank account.
This is surely theft, as who charges 4000 euros for 2 hours work by 3 men to clean a paved area? The lady did not get contact details or any information as to who they were.
The area was left filthy in many places with items around the paved area covered in filth, and some paintwork removed from the exterior house walls in places. The lady was told by this gang there was a 7-year guarantee against weeds regrowing. This was complete nonsense - the lady was seen as a vulnerable senior simply taken in by these men.
This is a warning to people to be very aware of this gang offering power washing services and not to be taken in by them.
There is a 4th man, around late 30's and very overweight - he is the boss of the gang and collects the money. The also had a young child with them. They were thought to be using a small, dark grey vehicle.
Photo courtesy of Depositphotos.com
