In a shocking case exposing systemic vulnerabilities in consumer protection, Mark Killick has been revealed as one of Britain’s most prolific cowboy builders, defrauding victims of over £1.25 million despite four fraud convictions since 2008. The 56-year-old builder operated in the West of England using multiple identities, legally changing his name twice from Mark Killick to Mark Jenkins and later Marc Cole, effectively concealing his criminal past from unsuspecting customers. His sophisticated operation featured professional websites and glowing online reviews that convinced victims of his legitimacy, while prosecutors revealed he „never intended” to complete work and systematically lied to extract money from clients’ accounts. This case has highlighted critical gaps in the system that allow convicted fraudsters to continue operating in the building trade.
Killick’s criminal history spans decades, beginning with magistrates’ court convictions in South Wales in 1995-1996, followed by bankruptcy in 2004 and multiple fraud convictions in 2008, 2009, and 2014. Despite receiving a five-year prison sentence in 2014 for defrauding 42 victims of £573,000, he was released in 2016 and resumed his fraudulent activities. Criminology expert Jonathan Gilbert, himself a former fraud convict, noted the absence of restrictions preventing fraudsters from changing names, suggesting they can easily „reinvent themselves” through simple deed poll processes. The case has sparked calls for extended license conditions for fraudsters and a central register of convicted criminals to help vulnerable homeowners identify rogue traders.
The building industry’s lack of mandatory licensing has come under scrutiny, with the Federation of Master Builders advocating for regulatory changes similar to other professions like law and finance. Industry estimates suggest public losses to cowboy builders may reach £14.3 billion, with 15% of survey respondents reporting average losses of £1,759. Meanwhile, consumer protection experts warn against over-reliance on online reviews, advising homeowners to obtain multiple quotes, verify references directly, and be cautious of builders demanding large upfront payments. The case demonstrates how professional online presences can mask criminal operations, with Google reporting it blocked 5.1 billion „bad ads” in 2024 while continuing to invest in AI detection systems.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.