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Delta police arrest four men in suspected paving scheme

The men are now in Canada Border Services Agency custody and may be removed from the country
20267100_web1_181106-NDR-M-Delta-police-calling-in
(Delta Police Department photo)

Four men are in custody after police were alerted to an alleged paving scheme in Delta.

The scam, whereby homeowners were convinced to pay cash upfront to have their driveways repaved, was reported to the Delta Police Department on Jan. 19 by a resident who had been approached by a man claiming to own an asphalt company and offering him a deal.

The resident became suspicious when he googled the company — Top Style Asphalt Contractors — and found it had no online presence, despite claims of a 25-year history.

As police were conducting their investigation, another resident reported having paid $1,500 earlier in the month to have her driveway repaved, only for the work to not be done on the agreed upon date and the contractor not answer her calls.

“One of our officers realized that the two files might be related,” DPD public affairs manager Cris Leykauf said in a press release. “Based on that suspicion, she took conduct of both investigations.”

DPD officers embarked on a comprehensive search of the streets of North Delta on Sunday, Jan. 19 for the van the alleged fraudsters drove, and located it that same afternoon on 119A Street. Four men were arrested, and police determined they were in Canada on visitor visas.

The men are now in the custody of the Canada Border Services Agency as part of an Immigration and Refugee Protection Act investigation, and may be subject to a removal order.

“We’d now like put out the message that anyone in Delta who paid upfront to have their driveway repaved by Top Style Asphalt Contractors, to please contact Delta police at 604-946-4411,” Leykauf said.

Police say it’s unknown whether Top Style Asphalt Contractors was operating in any other communities, however anyone outside of Delta who thinks they may have been a victim of the paving scheme is encouraged to contact their local police department and reference DPD file 2020-1376.

Further, police caution homeowners and residents who contract with companies to provide home and garden services against paying up front for services, and encourage them to check into the company prior to hiring anyone.

SEE ALSO: Surrey RCMP warning about discount flight scam via Whatsapp

SEE ALSO: ‘Hang up immediately’: Delta police warn of scam calls after woman loses $6,000



editor@northdeltareporter.com

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James Smith

About the Author: James Smith

James Smith is the founding editor of the North Delta Reporter.
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