Gardaí in Co Waterford have confirmed that a file has been sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to an alleged shed scam.

It is believed that the files may be connected to an alleged nationwide scam revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal.

The alleged scam saw farmers pay substantial deposits for sheds that were never delivered or had the wrong size and specification materials delivered.

Farmers, shed erectors and steel suppliers in more than 10 counties say they lost amounts ranging from €1,000 to €29,000.

Dozens of victims of the alleged scam came forward from the southeast region of Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and the southwest counties of Cork and Kerry, as well as the western counties of Mayo, Sligo and Galway and Laois and Westmeath in the midlands.

The victims told of how a shed seller operated under a number of different names and company names.

Inspector Larry Sheahan of Dungarvan Garda Station told the Irish Farmers Journal that files have been sent to the DPP but declined to comment on when a response is expected.

He advised farmers who are thinking of buying a shed to carefully check the supplier.

“Go to a reputable dealer, there are plenty of them around,” he cautioned. “Check their references and check out their previous work, go and look at a shed they have completed.”