Bogus building firm shut down after materials credit scam

Grant Prior 2 years ago
Share

A fraudulent construction firm has been shut down after conning building materials suppliers in a credit scam.

Nobleread Ltd has been wound up by the High Court and the Official Receiver has been appointed Liquidator of the company.

The company operated two businesses – NB Construction and NB Wholesale. Between February and April 2021 it ordered various construction goods on credit under each name following approaches to suppliers.

Representatives for NB Construction would approach building sites or tradesmen in builders’ merchants in person and offer materials and supplies at a reduced price for cash.

Arrangements with customers occurred via WhatsApp and over the phone, and in most cases goods were shipped directly to site by the trade supplier. The cash payment was then collected in person by the NB Construction representative.

Suppliers contacted by NB Wholesale shipped goods to a Nobleread warehouse in Essex.

The suppliers, having agreed to a credit facility with NB Wholesale, were then left unpaid with debts totalling over £60,000.

Goods ordered by the company from suppliers included building materials such as paving, insulation, rooflights and decking.

Both Nobleread entities appear to have ceased trading later in 2021, and their websites were taken down.

The company used identity theft to create a fake director and also when making applications for credit.

The High Court agreed that closing down the company was in the public interest, given the lack of cooperation, failure to deliver up adequate accounting records, and objectionable trading practices.

Mark George, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Nobleread has gone about its business in a reprehensible manner and those behind it have gone to great lengths to hide their identities. Suppliers should always do due diligence on companies before agreeing any credit facilities, and check the integrity of any trade references in particular.

“We will always seek to have companies wound-up in such cases, in the public interest.”

Latest news

Buyers flag fears over civil engineering slowdown

All sectors in reverse during "challenging" March
7 hours ago

Torsion and Khalbros to build new Leeds £1bn neighbourhood

Eastgate Quarter site acquired from Hammerson
1 day ago

Winners named for £380m Scottish council housing upkeep deal

PfH Scotland names 38 firms for social housing landlord deal
10 hours ago

Kier wins first phase of £700m Warwick Uni campus build

Firm to start work on science and engineering precinct last this year
1 day ago

JCB to double size of US factory in wake of Trump tariffs

$500m Texas factory under construction to expand to 1m sq ft
1 day ago

Green light for £2.4bn Luton Airport expansion

Government go-ahead to transform airport
1 day ago

Mivan looks to boost supply chain network

Subcontractors and suppliers invited to meet the buyer event: Book places now
11 hours ago

Diversification pays off for concrete frame specialist Statom

Strong results as £180m turnover firm expands into infrastructure sector
1 day ago

Cardo in talks to buy Breyer roofing arm

More than 100 jobs could be saved at Breyer Roofing
1 day ago

Quartet win £750m Wales & Western railway deal

Network Rail confirms partners for Reactive and Minor Works framework
1 day ago

Plans in for £350m London Bridge life sciences hub

Snowsfields Quarter will consist of three buildings containing labs
1 day ago

Surging labour costs push tender price forecast up

Pick-up in tender prices despite weak growth
1 day ago

Permasteelisa wins cladding deal on Multiplex city tower

Facade specialist wins work on Fenchurch Street ‘hanging gardens’ tower
1 day ago

Wates wins fit-out for Manchester First Street Hub

Smartspace arm secures another Government hub deal
2 days ago

Peel Ports reveals winners for £750m framework

18 firms win places on deal: Full list
2 days ago

Big trade names dropped in M Group rebrand

Acquisitive group formed from Morrison Utility services in 2016
2 days ago

Breyer Group files administration notice

Staff hope rival firm could buy assets and save jobs
2 days ago

Former Severfield director takes helm at Embrace Steel

New CEO Martin Kelly aims to step up expansion of steelwork contractor
2 days ago

£302m upgrade funding awarded to FE colleges – list

Cash shared out between England’s 179 college groups
2 days ago

FK Facades thrives but construction arm hit by ISG row

Dispute with failed contractor costs specialist £5.5m
2 days ago

Galliford Try gets go-ahead for Milton Keynes PRS tower

33-storey tower needs gateway 2 approval before work can start
3 days ago

Small house builders get £150m funding for green homes

Developers will have to meet-up to ten new criteria to benefit from interest rate discounts
2 days ago

Lendlease Construction renamed Bovis

US private equity firm completes £35m purchase of UK contracting business and rebrands
3 days ago

Breyer Group battles for survival as rivals circle

Housing maintenance firm fights three winding up petitions in a month
3 days ago

Careys facing £2.4m claim by developer over demolition cartel

Giant Hong Kong developer claims it was overcharged on Lots Road Power Station job
3 days ago

Multiplex profit drops a third as revenue rises to £780m

Spate of new orders sets contractor up for three years of work
3 days ago

Galliford Try and Breheny land latest Sizewell C road deals

More infrastructure deals for new nuclear power station
4 days ago

Worker trapped in collapsed septic tank pit

Contractor and director fined after worker suffers multiple fractures
3 days ago

Homes England buys stalled Broad Marsh site

Demolition to finally be completed as developer hunt begins
4 days ago

Vistry go-ahead for 353 homes at Rochester Riverside

Work to start on next phase of Kent town regeneration at end of this year
4 days ago

Contractor services