Woman Threatened With Rape After Locksmith Scam in Cheshunt

Published: March 5, 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

A woman in Hertfordshire, England, says she was left traumatised after a rogue locksmith not only overcharged her but allegedly threatened her with sexual violence when she contested the bill, in an incident that has raised questions about the behaviour of some unscrupulous tradespeople. The complainant, Adabela Grace, told investigators that what began as a routine call for help quickly escalated into intimidation and a deeply distressing threat.

Grace called a locksmith after locking her keys inside her home in Cheshunt, having been quoted £49 over the phone. When the worker arrived and examined the door, he told her the cost would be £189 and then later produced an invoice for £1,293, a figure 26 times higher than the original quote. “He started reading out charges that were not discussed in advance,” Grace said, explaining that she felt “very frightened and intimidated” by the sudden price hike.

After offering an interim payment of £600 by debit card because she feared further confrontation, Grace said the man demanded the remainder the next morning and threatened to return to her property if she did not pay. The following day she received a text message that was sexually threatening, which she reported to police and fraud authorities, though she later said she felt “left alone” by the process. Grace described the messages as escalating her fear significantly and said the sexually violent nature of the texts spiked her anxiety over staying in her home.

Grace’s case emerged in the wake of a broader investigation by BBC London into locksmith scams, which highlighted how some consumers are exploited by traders who advertise low prices but then levy exorbitant charges for substandard work. Many respondents to the BBC’s inquiry reported being overcharged by such locksmiths, with some describing threatening behaviour. In a sample of 129 responses, 22 said they had experienced behaviour they characterised as threatening.

Victims of locksmith scams often struggle to recover money or to secure meaningful action from authorities, in part because the operators involved frequently use fake business listings, lack a legitimate address or proper licensing, and can easily rebrand if complaints arise. This type of scam preys on people who are vulnerable or in distress after being locked out of their homes or vehicles.

Grace says she also informed her estate agent and her bank about the incident in hopes of resolving some of the financial impact, and a legitimate locksmith was later called to change the locks after the ordeal. These types of scams highlight gaps in consumer protection for trades services and the challenges faced when trying to hold rogue operators to account.

Legal experts urge those targeted by similar scams to report incidents promptly, retain any communication or documentation, and seek guidance from local consumer protection bodies to ensure appropriate follow‑up. In cases involving threatening behaviour or intimidation, reporting to law enforcement remains a vital step.

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