Directors of a Croydon company guilty of Consumer Protection Offences

Three people have been sentenced following a prosecution by Croydon Council Trading Standards and National Trading Standards Tri Region Investigations Team, which saw them admit to making misleading cold calls to vulnerable consumers across the country to sell boiler repair cover.

Directors of The Gas Board Ltd, Steffan Smart, 32, of Oliver Court Main Road Hounslow, and brothers Arkin Almaajoun, 29 and Ali Almaajoun 31, both of Howard Road Cousldon, pleaded guilty to Consumer Protection offences. On 29^th August 2025 they were sentenced to between 8-12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. They also received Criminal Behaviour Orders preventing them from making sales direct to consumers, unpaid work requirements and to pay a percentage of the costs to bring the case to trial.

The investigation began following many consumer complaints to Trading Standards services, Action Fraud and British Gas about a company registered as ‘The Gas Board Ltd’, based in Croydon.

Many of the victims felt the business name ‘The Gas Board’ was deliberately used to mislead them, and imply the callers were from British Gas, when they were not. The defendants were aware at an early stage the company name was causing confusion, and that the company was misrepresenting itself, but they continued to target those aged over 65 for their personal financial benefit.

The majority of consumers who were ‘sold’ boiler repair cover never received the service, and most were unaware until they saw money leave their bank accounts, that they had contracted with a company that was not their own service provider.

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor for Croydon, said:

“This is another great result for our trading standards team, prosecuting a gang who deceivedmany older people throughout the country. Huge thanks go to the National Trading Standards Tri Region Investigations Team, who were crucial in supporting us during this case.”

Anyone running a business in Croydon needs to do so lawfully and should be aware that if they break the law, we have some of the best trading standards officers in the public sector who work tirelessly to protect consumers.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said:
“These criminals deliberately targeted older people, using a company name designed to mislead and deceive their victims. Their actions caused financial loss and undermined trust in the many genuine businesses that work hard to support their customers with professionalism and integrity.”

If you suspect you or someone you know might have been targeted by a scam like this, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Line on 0808 223 1133 or Contact the consumer service - Citizens Advice.