Loft insulation scammers ordered to pay £48,891 after targeting vulnerable Suffolk residents

A fraudulent loft insulation operation has been brought to justice after misleading elderly homeowners across four counties. Riva Surveyors Ltd has been ordered to pay £48,891 in fines and compensation, while senior salesman Justin Brason received a suspended prison sentence for his part in the scam.

Riva Surveyors Ltd (previously known as Riba Surveyors Ltd) and Justin Brason, aged 45, of Brambling Close, Stowmarket, appeared separately at Ipswich Crown Court on 20 November 2025 for sentencing, following an investigation led by Suffolk County Council’s Trading Standards team.

Between July 2019 and February 2020, the company cold-called or visited elderly homeowners across Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, claiming to offer free loft inspections.

Once inside the properties, “surveyors” falsely reported serious roof defects such as damp, mould or infestations, and urged householders to install spray foam insulation at vastly inflated prices. Victims were told the work was urgent and that their roofs were structurally unsound if left untreated.

In reality, the spray foam insulation sold was unnecessary and, in some cases, unsuitable for the properties, with an expert witness later confirming that the reported problems were exaggerated or entirely fabricated. The insulation could also reduce property value and make it harder to sell or remortgage.

Many victims were elderly and living alone. Out of 20 affected consumers, six went ahead with the work, suffering significant financial losses. Two victims later had to remove the insulation at additional cost so they could remortgage or sell their homes.

One victim’s family described the lasting impact:

“The anxiety caused by this had a severe impact on my parents’ health. They were preyed upon by an unscrupulous person with no morals. I hope this outcome acts as a deterrent to others who destroy the lives of elderly people in this way.”

Riva Surveyors Ltd pleaded guilty to 21 counts of misleading actions under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Brason pleaded guilty to eight counts under the same legislation. His later attempt to withdraw his guilty plea was rejected by the court in September 2025.

Sentencing is as follows:

Riva Surveyors Ltd:

• Fined £850 for each of 21 offences, a total of £17,850

• Ordered to pay £31,021 in compensation to affected consumers

• Combined total liability: £48,891, to be paid within 12 months

• No prosecution costs awarded due to the judge prioritising victim compensation

Justin Brason:

• 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months

• Sentenced as 12 months for each of his eight offences, to run consecutively, reflecting that the judge considered each offence to be equally serious

• Ordered to pay £1,500 compensation, to be paid at £75 per month from February 2026

• 10 rehabilitation activity days

• 200 hours of unpaid work

The judge noted that culpability and harm were high but accepted that there had been no further complaints since the investigation began. As the company is now largely dormant, securing compensation for consumers was described as “a good result.”

Suffolk Trading Standards’ investigation was supported by the National Trading Standards Tri Region Investigation Team (TRIT) due to the scale of the offending across multiple counties.

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, said:

“This case highlights the shocking lengths some individuals will go to in order to exploit the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. Suffolk Trading Standards work tirelessly to protect residents from scams like this, and I’m pleased that justice has been done for the victims in this case.”

Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, added:

“This was a deliberate and sustained campaign of deception. Victims were made to feel frightened and pressured into paying for unnecessary and sometimes damaging work.

“We urge residents to always seek independent advice before agreeing to any work on their home, and to avoid engaging with cold callers offering free surveys or quick fixes.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said:

“There are too many examples of misconduct in the energy sector, and this case shows how vulnerable homeowners can be targeted.

“This case saw victims pressured into taking decisions they usually wouldn’t make. Victims were mistakenly led to believe that if they didn’t hand over significant sums of money their homes would soon become unsafe. The scam stripped homeowners not only of their savings but also caused huge emotional distress, leaving victims with long-lasting anxiety.

“If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam like this, you should report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service helpline by calling 0808 223 1133.”

Spray foam insulation is not always suitable for retrofitting in homes and homeowners are advised to seek independent advice before proceeding. Those wishing to find reputable traders can use schemes such as Suffolk Trusted Trader, Norfolk Trusted Trader, or the Essex Buy With Confidence scheme – all endorsed by their local Trading Standards department.