A fraudulent builder who brazenly styled himself as the 'King of the Cowboys' has been sentenced to prison after swindling families out of hundreds of thousands of pounds, all while parading an extravagant lifestyle on social media.
Luxury Lifestyle Funded by Fraud
Cristopher Webber, 48, was jailed for three years and four months at Cardiff Crown Court after admitting to pocketing a total of £223,000 from two separate families for building work on three properties. The court heard how Webber's actions were a textbook example of a rogue trader, leaving homes in dangerously unsafe conditions and families facing financial ruin.
Investigators described Webber as a cowboy builder who systematically scammed residents out of hundreds of thousands of pounds through fraud and shoddy workmanship. His modus operandi involved accepting large sums of money for promised renovations, only to deliver substandard, incomplete, or non-existent work.
Victims Left with Unsafe Homes and Massive Debts
The human cost of Webber's crimes was laid bare in court. One victim suffered a devastating loss of £103,029, while another family lost a combined £120,000 across two properties due to his fraudulent activities. Rhondda Cynon Taf council, which led the investigation, stated that his victims were left struggling with huge debts and their lives in ruins.
Webber's failure to apply for necessary building regulations, his absence from work sites, and his refusal to purchase materials he had already been paid for left properties in states of serious disrepair. The council emphasised that families were often forced to pay more than triple the original cost to rectify the botched jobs, compounding their financial distress.
Social Media Boasts Contrast with Victims' Plight
In a stark and galling contrast to the misery he inflicted, Webber used social media to boast about his luxury lifestyle. He posted pictures of exotic holidays abroad, fine dining experiences, and a life of apparent leisure—activities funded entirely by the money he stole from his clients.
This brazen display of wealth while his customers suffered in unsafe homes underscored the callous nature of his crimes. The so-called 'King of the Cowboys' lived the high life online, even as his dangerous workmanship left families in perilous living conditions.
Authorities Issue Warning on Rogue Traders
Speaking after the sentencing, Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Communities, highlighted the broader issue. Unfortunately, too many customers are being left in stressful and sometimes dangerous situations and considerably out of pocket due to their actions, he said.
He described Webber as indeed the King of Cowboys and noted it was sheer luck that nobody was physically hurt from his dangerous workmanship. The council hopes that by raising awareness of such building fraud and the methods used by rogue traders, consumers can be better educated and protected.
Rogue traders can be very convincing, often offering incorrectly priced services that seem attractive. However, their work is typically shoddy and their actions can have a devastating impact upon the lives of their victims, many of whom are elderly and vulnerable. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious trading practices to prevent similar scams in the future.
