A London builder accused of conning tens of thousands of pounds from customers has been caught allegedly faking a major heart operation, with new evidence showing he used identical hospital photos 640 days apart.
The Repeat Excuse
John Pembridge-Hore, 61, was first exposed by a MyLondon investigation after two families claimed he vanished with their cash, leaving building work unfinished in South West London and Surrey. While suspicions were raised about his medical claims to an Isleworth family in June 2025, proof was elusive.
That changed when Jonathan Woods, 43, came forward after reading the initial report. He provided documents proving Pembridge-Hore had used the same excuses – complete with photos of chest and leg scars – almost two years earlier, in September 2023.
A Trail of Deception
This revelation follows a separate investigation which used Freedom of Information requests to debunk Pembridge-Hore's CV, finding Oxford University had no record of him completing a PhD. Further checks, including reverse image searches and architect consultations, showed he and his firm, Darwin Home Improvements, misled clients. One false claim was that he built a Premier League footballer's mansion in Surrey.
His registered company, Darwin Home Improvements Limited, dissolved in July 2025 without filing accounts. A previous company of the same name was dissolved in May 2023 after posting accounts showing just £1 in the bank. Pembridge-Hore, who also claims to be a war veteran and ex-Royal Marine, has never responded to requests for comment.
A Home Left in Ruins
Jonathan, from Earlsfield, told MyLondon he was left around £20,000 out of pocket. Pembridge-Hore disappeared mid-way through a kitchen renovation in late 2023, leaving the rear of the house wide open over Christmas.
"It was traumatic to be honest. He basically ruined my home," Jonathan said. He spent thousands repairing condemned work and has never been refunded. Fearing "repercussions" for his family, he initially decided not to report the builder to police.
Like other complainants, Jonathan was initially charmed by Pembridge-Hore's confidence and a quote that wasn't suspiciously low. Doubts emerged when friends saw a photo of his work and warned: "That guy looks like he's dangerous."
The Elaborate Ruse Unravels
WhatsApp logs show a friendly rapport, with Pembridge-Hore even joking about dragging the job on. On September 4, 2023, he informed Jonathan of an operation, sending three post-op photos on September 16.
Over the next two months, the project stalled. Builders worked short days, and Pembridge-Hore claimed a blood infection prevented him from managing the site. Jonathan was left cooking on a camping stove with no hot water as winter set in.
The builder's story collapsed when he finally visited. "He came down and he looked right as rain," Jonathan recalled. "You know, when someone's been in [hospital], they've had sepsis and been in for a heart bypass. They don't look like that."
Pembridge-Hore also claimed waste collection was cancelled due to flooding, but Jonathan's direct check with the company revealed zero cancellations. Confronted, Pembridge-Hore replied: "I really can't believe you phoned to check."
After a wall of silence, Pembridge-Hore messaged claiming he had "run out of money" after six weeks in hospital. When Jonathan pointed out their upfront payments far exceeded costs, he offered no explanation. His phone soon became unreachable.
A 'Rinse and Repeat' Tactic
Jonathan realised the scale of the alleged deception when he read MyLondon's report about Peter and Ana Langenberg, who received the same heart surgery photos in June 2025 – two years after him.
In their case, Pembridge-Hore requested a cash instalment, sent the photos and videos, then vanished. Jonathan's evidence suggests those photos were not new, as claimed.
Reacting to the evidence, Peter Langenberg questioned if it was "a routine he has done before... It's unbelievable. Preying on someone's good feeling and feeling sorry for him to be in hospital."
Jonathan added: "That's his thing. Rinse and repeat... Oh, it worked last time. Let's do it again."
Could Prosecution Follow?
Rogue builders can be prosecuted under the Fraud Act 2006 for false representation, or under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, particularly if a pattern of behaviour is established.
However, resourcing issues and communication barriers between police forces and local authorities can hinder cases. Investigating fraud is expensive and time-consuming, causing delays for victims.
MyLondon has identified three sets of complainants on the record, with two others fearing harassment. Police reports have been filed with the Met and Surrey Police, but none of the victims had contacted Trading Standards.
A major problem is enforcement. Pembridge-Hore may have no seizable assets. He was previously renting in Twickenham but left only a trail of bailiff visits and legal letters.
Nick Brett, a partner at London law firm Brett Wilson, explained: "The real problem facing the victims of fraud is the ability to enforce any judgment where it has not been possible to identify the fraudster's assets. By the time that criminal justice has caught up, the proceeds of fraud have often been dissipated."
Pembridge-Hore was approached for comment but did not respond.
