TL;DR: In Auckland, two UK nationals allegedly dropped flyers for a fake painting company, "Everlast Home Improvements." A Mt Albert homeowner paid a $27,000 deposit; someone did two days of poor sanding and never came back. One man pleaded guilty; the other left NZ and faces arrest if he returns. Auckland City Financial Crime Unit says it’s prosecuted 14 foreign nationals in three years for scams including roof and paint work. If you paid a deposit for work never finished, report it.
What happened
From NZ Police (21 May 2026):
- A flyer in a Mt Albert mailbox advertised "Everlast Home Improvements."
- The homeowner paid a $27,000 deposit.
- A man did a poor sanding job on the exterior over two days, then vanished.
- Andrew Yeshua Glauberman (21, UK) pleaded guilty to two fraud offences and several shoplifting offences; he was held in custody until sentencing.
- Thomas Jay Taylor (29, UK) has left New Zealand; a warrant is out.
Police say most offenders face jail and, ultimately, removal from the country, working with Immigration NZ.
A bigger pattern
Auckland’s Financial Crime Unit has prosecuted 14 foreign nationals in three years for scams including:
- fake Police calls and text scams
- foreign exchange and "blessing" scams
- term deposit scams
- stolen credit card "ghost taping"
- travelling trade scams: roofing and painting
Red flags of a travelling tradesman scam
- Flyers or door-knocks offering a deal "because we’re in the area"
- Big deposits up front
- No verifiable business address, website or reviews
- Cash or bank transfer only, no proper invoice
- Pressure to book today
$27,000 up front for a paint job is a lot of trust to hand to a flyer. Legit tradies are usually happy to show you previous work and a real address.
Protect yourself
- Get multiple quotes from local, established businesses.
- Check company details on the Companies Register and online reviews.
- Pay small deposits and stage payments to completed work.
- Get a written contract with names, addresses and timelines.
Report it
Paid a deposit for work that wasn’t done? Police want to hear, even if you’re not sure it was a scam: 105.police.govt.nz or 105. More: how to report a scam in NZ.
Similar Canadian case: Waterloo renovation scam. A free exposure check shows if your contact details are in breach data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the travelling tradesmen scam?
Visitors offer cheap home repairs like painting or roofing, take a large deposit, do little or poor work, then disappear.
How much was lost in the Auckland painting scam?
A Mt Albert homeowner paid a $27,000 deposit.
How many foreign nationals have Auckland Police prosecuted for scams?
The Auckland City Financial Crime Unit has prosecuted 14 in three years.
How do I report a tradesman who took a deposit and disappeared?
Report it to Police at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, even if you’re unsure it was a scam.