15.05.2026

Scam alert

A UK access rental company has contacted us via our Fraud & Theft report portal, to warn others about an alleged fraudster who appears to have got away with the theft of a scissor lift and other equipment.

The rental company, which for obvious reasons would prefer to stay anonymous, says the business opened a credit account in the name Wayne Enterprises (Leicester), and rented a wheelbarrow, cement mixer and plasterboard lift. It later 'purchased' a 32ft Skyjack 6832 RT scissor lift. The rental company says that the customer paid a 50 percent deposit for the scissor lift, using a credit card and took the machine away. The buyer apparently then told his bank that the transaction was a completely fraudulent card payment and managed to stop the payment.

The rental company says it then attempted to recover the equipment but was unable to locate it, adding that the contact stopped answering its calls until eventually another person called back from the same number and said that the individual they needed to speak to was in Pakistan and that they were unable to help. A police report has been filed, but has not yet led to anything.

The details provided to the rental company included the address of a unit in Legrams Mill, Bradford, while the telephone number used was 07796 599 035. The company is registered at Companies House with a Wayne Short listed as the sole director and shareholder. The company was set up in 2024 with a single share. The nature of its business is listed as the 'Wholesale of textiles', 'Non-specialised wholesale trade' and 'Other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified'.

So far, it has filed micro accounts for its first year and is a month and a half late with this year's confirmation statement. The Wayne Short shown as owner and dole director, has, according to Companies House, also so far failed to file Identity verification paperwork with the deadline set for tomorrow.

Despite a thorough search, we were unable to trace any actual trading business, website or social media posting under this name. The only evidence that it exists is the Companies House registration and documents. There is a long-established company with a similar name in the USA that sells work clothing. Oh, and a Wayne Enterprises is based in Wayne Tower, Gotham City and owned by Bruce Wayne - ring a bell? Think Bats...

Getting back to reality, it might also be interesting, possibly even relevant, to note that there is another company registered at the same address in Bradford, but it was dissolved yesterday via a compulsory strike-off order.

We have tried repeatedly to contact the alleged offender for a comment, using the mobile number quoted in the alleged scam, but there is either a busy signal or mostly it rings but is never answered, and there is no message or voicemail. We will keep trying.

If you have a story to share or would like to check our list of reported scams to watch out for, click here.