Elderly Couple Scammed Six Times by Window Installers

85-year-old Tamara Panteleyevna and her 84-year-old husband Yuri Dmitrievich became victims of window scammers — so believes their daughter Tatiana. As she told 74.RU, men who introduced themselves as masters came to her parents« apartment over several months and each time they found faults, saying that the windows would fall out. The frightened pair paid the bills — sometimes 20,000 rubles ($200), sometimes 45,000 ($450). In total, it added up to 212,000 rubles ($2,100). Tatiana wrote a statement to the police, but a criminal case has not been opened.

«If not replaced, the window will fall out»

Tatiana found out recently that uninvited guests had been coming to her parents. The elderly mother and father understood that something was wrong, but did not want to upset their daughter.

«Over eight months this year, my parents signed six contracts. The first time, a man who introduced himself as a master called the home number in February,» Tatiana says. «He addressed my mother affectionately, by her first name and patronymic, said: “The organization that installed the windows has reassigned us to you. We need to come check if everything is in order.” Mom said that everything was working fine, but he insisted on a meeting.»

In the apartment, the »masters« inspected the windows in all three rooms and delivered a verdict: “The hardware in the bedroom is broken.”

«Then they scare them that if not replaced now, the window will fall out. Repair is needed urgently,» Tatiana continues. «The first time, for replacing the hardware, they took 25,000 rubles ($250), and simultaneously pushed the installation of a magnetic bracket (anti-slam) for 6,000 rubles ($60). Although on marketplaces, such things cost 600 rubles ($6).»

Tatiana found out about the first visit of the workers by chance — she saw the contract. She says she explained to her parents that these were scammers and asked them not to let anyone into the house anymore. But they did not listen to their daughter»s words. After that, there were five more meetings with «masters» that Tatiana did not know about.

Each time, Tatiana says, the window installers came up with different excuses to get back into the apartment. The second time, they came in February as well, saying they needed to bring a warranty card.

«They come and start, like, since we«re here, let»s check how the windows are working. And again they find something,» Tatiana describes. «They identified broken hardware in the balcony windows. And again they frightened my parents, saying urgent repair was needed, otherwise the windows could fall out. Replacement on both sashes cost 22,000 rubles ($220). In the same contract, they pushed for replacing the seal on the balcony, another magnetic bracket, and treating the windows with liquid plastic. The total came to 42,000 rubles ($420).»

The next call to Tamara Panteleyevna came in April. The pensioner was again convinced that they needed to come to her home. And again they found broken hardware — on the kitchen window, which, according to her daughter, was working properly.

«Again they frightened them that the window would fall out, and my parents in panic agreed to urgent repair. Full replacement of hardware on both the left and right sides cost 26,000 rubles ($260). At the same time, they talked them into another anti-slam, and also stated that it was absolutely necessary to perform complex and simple adjustments on the properly working windows in the living room. The total — 40,000 rubles ($400),» Tatiana recounts.

The fourth visit took place in the summer. It turned out that there was rust on the window hinges and external slopes needed to be installed on three windows, and old galvanized sills replaced with new ones to protect the hinges from further corrosion. This time, the «masters» presented a bill for 45,000 rubles ($450).

After installing the new slopes, Tamara Panteleyevna noticed that the handles in the kitchen and bedroom were not closing completely.

«In September, for the first time, mom called herself, complained about the handles. The «master» came, said that complex adjustments with unpacking were required in all rooms. The cost of these works came to 20,000 rubles ($200). But four days later he came again and completely replaced the hardware in the living room. Because, as he said, “your windows in the living room are from 2007, but the hardware on them is from 2006,”» Tatiana retells. «And he also pushed the installation of two more anti-slams. This last visit cost 40,000 rubles ($400).»

Criminal case refused

If you add up the amounts from all six contracts, it comes to 212,000 rubles ($2,100). The pensioners took the money, as they say, from their life savings.

«I found out by chance. Recently I asked mom if the window scammers had called anymore, she says: “No.” I ask again: “Really?” She is silent, and then says: “Well, they called” and told me everything. When she showed me all these contracts, I was shocked. After all, I tell them every day not to let anyone in,» Tatiana wonders. «Mom says: “I myself don«t know how it happens, how they persuade me, they are such good guys.”»

The daughter wrote a statement to the police, but they did not open a criminal case for fraud. Now she is preparing a complaint to the prosecutor«s office.

«In other cities, there have been similar cases, they opened cases and sent them to court. I don»t understand why our police are inactive. Maybe they need more victims? Then after your article, other victims will come forward,» Tatiana hopes.

The police confirmed to a 74.RU correspondent that the opening of a criminal case has been refused.

«We advise caution towards individuals who push their services. If the price is clearly inflated or there are doubts about the quality of services, it is better to refuse them,» the Chelyabinsk Ministry of Internal Affairs advises. «Agree on the cost of services in advance, check reviews of the organization online. Have conversations with elderly relatives about how to act in such situations. In case of unlawful acts, it is necessary to contact the police at 02/102.»

The contract lists the performer as individual entrepreneur Andrei Pits. We called him at the provided numbers, but the subscriber was unavailable.

Request an expert evaluation

The head of the legal company Forlex, Nikolai Popov, believes that this case could still be grounds for an investigation.

«In practice, there is such a thing — supposedly the more victims, the better the chance of opening a criminal case, this is how our police perceive the world,» Nikolai Popov says. «From a legal standpoint, no one can prevent even one applicant from seeking to open a criminal case. Yes, fraud itself is very hard to distinguish from civil law relations, especially when there is some semblance of performance, even if minimal. But there is already practice of opening such criminal cases; this is not something new. The basis is that services were provided either at an inflated price or no services were planned to be provided. In this case, most likely, it will be inflated service costs.»

The lawyer advises Tatiana to ask the police to order an expert evaluation as part of the pre-investigation check. According to him, this can be done before opening a criminal case.

«If a substantial difference is established, that is evidence of signs of fraud,» Nikolai Popov explains. «If the police refuse to do this, then it should be appealed to the prosecutor«s office. Sometimes the prosecutor»s office does not respond, then you need to go to a higher prosecutor«s office, up to the regional or General Prosecutor»s Office. But you shouldn«t write to the General Prosecutor»s Office right away; you need to go through all the stages.»

Simultaneously, the lawyer advises acting through civil channels. Send a claim to the address listed in the contract. And later file a lawsuit to recover the money.

«Also, within the court, an expert evaluation can be ordered to determine the cost of these services and whether it corresponds to the market. And again, if it is revealed that the price is inflated, it is quite possible that the court will satisfy the claim. So, proceed along two parallel tracks, and if the money is not paid in the civil case, that is another argument for the criminal case,» the specialist concluded.