April 4, 2025Providence, RI, United StatesFinancial Crimes

Irish national charged in multistate home repair fraud scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – An Irish national illegally residing the United States and initially arrested for immigration violations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been ordered detained on criminal wire fraud and conspiracy charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud homeowners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Prior to making an initial appearance April 3 for criminal charges in U.S. District Court on a federal criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, John O’Brien, 28, was arrested for immigration violations on March 28 for violating the terms of his admission and failing to depart the United States as required by October 2021.

Charging documents allege that O’Brien and others defrauded property owners by inducing them to pay for home repairs that were not needed and often not completed. O’Brien misrepresented the need for the repairs and services, as well as the qualifications of his purported construction business, Traditional Masonry & Construction.

O’Brien’s alleged fraud scheme came to the attention of law enforcement when an 83-year-old Warwick resident, identified in court documents as Victim 1, contacted the Warwick Police Department to complain that he had been defrauded by a contractor. Victim 1 reported that O’Brien told him that, while doing work in the neighborhood, he observed cracks in Victim 1’s foundation. O’Brien offered to professionally repair the damage to the foundation. O’Brien collected $9,500 from Victim 1. As work proceeded, O’Brien allegedly claimed that further damage was discovered. O’Brien allegedly revised the costs for repairs and sought an additional $80,000 from the victim. A home inspector hired by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island later reviewed the property and found no evidence of a need for these extensive foundation repairs.

As described in court documents, other alleged victims have been identified who described similar interactions with O’Brien that began with initial, unsolicited recommendations for small home repairs, followed by O’Brien’s purported discovery of major repairs needed, and often a representation that the homeowner’s foundation was in urgent need of repairs. It is estimated that this scheme has defrauded homeowners out of over $1,000,000.

At the time of O’Brien’s arrest, investigators allegedly seized from his vehicle hundreds of Traditional Masonry & Construction flyers, identical to the ones handed out to the victims in this case, and four binders containing quotes, contracts, and invoices for Traditional Masonry & Construction. The documents and contracts are dated between April 2024 through March 2025, and range from $300 to $205,000. The approximate value of the contracts contained within the binders totaled $1,987,650.00.

The scheme O’Brien is alleged to have been executing is becoming increasingly common throughout the United States. It has come to be known as Traveling Conman Fraud. According to the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, Conmen Travelers are groups of Irish or U.K. nationals who entered the United States on pleasure or tourist visas and overstayed their visits or, more commonly, entered the United States illegally. Once in the United States, they go to different cities and states, soliciting construction work. The members often quote a low price and after further inspection, demand much more money and convince the homeowner that their property is in need of major repairs. The fraudsters often hire day laborers; do not have work authorization documents or pull permits; and do low quality, unnecessary, or incomplete work, sometimes damaging homeowners’ residences.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Providence and the Warwick and East Providence Departments.

ICE HSI and the United States Attorney’s Office recommend consumers follow a few simple rules to lessen the likelihood of being defrauded by this organization or others:

Be very cautious with offers from contractors who visit unsolicited saying they noticed a problem that needs to be fixed.

Don’t fall victim to high pressure scare tactics. Proceed cautiously before you commit to allowing work to be done.

Get at least one second opinion and cost estimate.

Check that contractors have a legitimate business address and consider visiting to verify that the business does exist.

Verify that the contractor is licensed before agreeing to have any work started. In Rhode Island, confirm licensing information on the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board website; in Massachusetts check the website of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

Ensure that the contractor obtains permits to do the work from your local city or town before work begins. Ask to see the permit and verify its authenticity with your city or town.

Beware of schemes where work is begun with a relatively small job and then the contractor claims to have found far greater damage that will cost significantly more money to repair

Don’t leave new or unfamiliar contractors alone at your house, even if they’re working outside. Bad actors may intentionally cause damage. Keep a close eye on work being done.

If you or someone you know believes they may have fallen victim to the Traveling Conman Fraud scheme, you are urged to contact ICE HSI via email at HSINewEnglandVictimAssistance@hsi.dhs.gov or via the ICE Tipline by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Updated: 04/04/2025