Three people have been sentenced following a prosecution by Croydon Council’s trading standards team, after admitting to making misleading cold calls to vulnerable consumers across the country selling boiler repair cover.
Directors of The Gas Board Ltd: Steffan Smart, 32, of Hounslow, and brothers Arkin Almaajoun, 29 and Ali Almaajoun 31, both of Coulsdon, pleaded guilty to consumer protection offences.
On 29 August 2025, Steffan Smart and Arkin Almaajoun were each sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. They also received Criminal Behaviour Orders preventing them indefinitely from making sales direct to consumers, 140 hours of unpaid work requirements and to each pay £15,000 of the prosecution costs
Ali Almaajoun was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Also receiving a Criminal Behaviour Order preventing him from making sales direct to consumers for 10 years, 80 hours of unpaid work requirements and to pay £9,000 of the prosecution costs.
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, which 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.
His Honour Judge Gower KC remarked: “Customers were misled by what they were told”.
“It is quite clear to me that the three of you were set on obtaining as much money as you could and were completely unscrupulous in the way you went about doing so.”
His Honour Judge Gower KC also recognised the efforts of the prosecution team: “Thanks to counsel and the commendation of those responsible for the investigation, including the financial investigation”.
“This is another great result for our trading standards team, prosecuting a gang who deceived many 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.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
If you wish to report a trader to Trading Standards, please contact Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Line on 0808 223 1133 or Contact the consumer service – Citizens Advice.
