Cleaned out by rip-off

A mother and son have been convicted of a £1.5million vacuum cleaner scam. Thomas Scoffin, 31, from Leeds, and Linda Scoffin, 66, from Lincoln, claimed to be from Dyson and told their victims that their machines needed a service.

The vile pair, who traded as Excel Servicing Ltd, charged up to £200 for this worthless work – Dyson cleaners do not need servicing.

They also pressurised victims into buying new industrial cleaners for up to £2,000 even though these were often too heavy for the customers to use.

National Trading Standards investigated and now they have been convicted of conspiracy to defraud and will be sentenced next month.