Irish national illegally in U.S. detained over alleged scheme to defraud homeowners in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, of $1 million+

PROVIDENCE – An Irish national residing illegally in the United States has been ordered detained on wire fraud and conspiracy charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud homeowners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Prior to making an initial appearance today 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, had been held on an immigration detainer following his arrest by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on March 28, 2025, for overstaying a tourist visa issued to him in 2021, but which expired in October 2021.

Charging documents allege that O’Brien and others defrauded property owners by inducing them into paying 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, RI, 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 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 $300.00 to $205,000.00.  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 then, after further inspection, demand much more money and/or 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Taylor A. Dean and Sandra R. Hebert. The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Warwick and East Providence Departments.

This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The United States Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations recommend that consumers follow a few simple rules to lessen the likelihood of being defrauded by this organization or others.

Be very cautious with unsolicited solicitations from contractors who show up at your door saying that 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, and only after getting at least one second opinion and cost estimate.

Before hiring any contractor for a large job, make sure they have a legitimate business address and consider going there 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 web site; 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.

As is alleged in this case, 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 a lot of more money to repair.

Don’t leave new or unfamiliar contractors alone at your house – even if they’re working outside. They sometimes intentionally cause damage. Keep a close eye of 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 Homeland Security Investigations via email at HSINewEnglandVictimAssistance@hsi.dhs.gov