FLORAL PARK, Long Island (WABC) – Two men, John Francis McDonough and Anthony Eugene Ward, have been arrested for allegedly posing as home improvement contractors to defraud elderly homeowners in Nassau County.
According to the Nassau County police, the duo posed as contractors for a fictitious company, Top Masonry and Construction. Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder noted that these scammers often target vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, during the home improvement season.
“They come from all over the country and the world,” Ryder said, referring to the frequent scam artists.
The two men are accused of defrauding victims by falsely claiming there were damages to their homes. In some instances, they allegedly convinced homeowners to step outside to inspect supposed damage while one accomplice broke into the back door to steal belongings.
Although many seniors were targeted, one victim reported the suspicious activity to authorities, prompting an investigation.
The arrests took place near Revere Drive East and Revere Drive West, where McDonough and Ward were using aliases, David Young and Adam Turner, and distributing promotional materials with false contact information.
Police revealed that McDonough, originally from Ireland, entered the U.S. illegally through Canada, while Ward, a UK national, overstayed his visa. Nassau County has notified immigration officials regarding their status.
Both men now face multiple charges, including criminal mischief and attempted fraud. This year alone, there have been 31 reported home improvement scams in Nassau County, with 22 of those involving elderly victims. Authorities have made nine arrests in connection with these crimes, with victims collectively losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in areas such as Manhasset, Greenvale, Elmont, and New Hyde Park.
