Operation Take Back America
The mugshot of John O’Brien, a 28-year-old Irish national, has been released following his arrest in connection with a large-scale home repair fraud scheme targeting homeowners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. O’Brien, who had overstayed his tourist visa, was initially detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for immigration violations before being transferred into federal custody on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. His arrest was part of an investigation dubbed "Operation Take Back America," conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Warwick Police.
Authorities allege that O’Brien, operating through his unregistered construction business, "Traditional Masonry & Construction," engaged in a widespread scam across multiple states. The operation reportedly involved approaching homeowners with unsolicited offers to repair minor issues, which later ballooned into much larger and more costly projects. Investigators believe the scheme may have defrauded victims out of more than $1 million.
How the Scam Unfolded
The investigation began after an 83-year-old homeowner in Warwick, Massachusetts, reported being swindled by O’Brien. According to court documents, O’Brien, who was working on a neighbor’s property, allegedly noticed cracks in the victim’s foundation and offered to fix the damage. Initially, the victim paid $4,000 for the repairs. However, O’Brien then claimed additional problems had been discovered, prompting the homeowner to pay an extra $5,500. The costs continued to rise, and O’Brien eventually told the victim that the repairs would cost $95,000. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to $80,000, which the victim attempted to pay through a bank loan.
Before finalizing the payment, however, the homeowner grew suspicious and contacted law enforcement, who intervened before the full amount was handed over. The Warwick homeowner later expressed frustration, saying he feared other elderly homeowners were similarly being "taken advantage of" and that his yard had been left in disarray with an unfinished trench dug around his home.
Other victims have come forward with similar complaints, describing how O’Brien initially offered minor repairs and then dramatically increased the scope of work. Investigators found that O’Brien’s business lacked the proper registration, permits, and qualifications to perform such tasks. One of his vehicles was also registered to a false address, further raising suspicions about the legitimacy of his operation.
Seizure of Evidence and Broader Scheme
During the investigation, law enforcement seized hundreds of promotional flyers from O’Brien’s vehicle advertising "Traditional Masonry & Construction." Additionally, four binders containing quotes, contracts, and invoices for his company, dating from April 2024 to March 2025, were recovered. The contracts ranged in price from $300 to $205,000, with a total value approaching $2 million. Among the documents was evidence that O’Brien had wired $8,500 to an account in Ireland.
Authorities suspect O’Brien was part of a broader criminal operation known as "Traveling Conman Fraud," which is becoming increasingly common in the U.S. This fraud scheme typically involves foreign nationals, particularly from Ireland and the U.K., who enter the U.S. on tourist visas and then solicit home repair work in various states. According to the FBI, these scammers often quote low prices at first but later inflate costs and demand large sums of money after convincing homeowners that significant repairs are necessary. The perpetrators are usually not licensed, fail to pull proper permits, and sometimes cause damage during their work. They are also known for hiring unlicensed day laborers and performing subpar or incomplete work.
In O’Brien’s case, authorities have identified his brother, known only as "JO2," as a potential co-conspirator in the scheme.
Legal Response and Warning to Consumers
O’Brien was arraigned in U.S. District Court on April 3, where he was formally charged with wire fraud and conspiracy. His defense attorney, Kensley Barrett, has stated that the charges stem from a "total misunderstanding and/or contractual dispute," but the ongoing investigation suggests the scale of the fraud is much larger than initially realized.
The FBI has issued a warning to homeowners about this type of scam, advising people to be cautious with unsolicited contractors, particularly those offering unsolicited repairs. They recommend obtaining second opinions for costly work, verifying the legitimacy of businesses, and ensuring that contractors have the necessary permits for any work they perform.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to identify additional victims, and further charges may be forthcoming.
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