The US Attorney's Office has unsealed the documents related to a million dollar construction company scheme.
Prosecutors say an Irish national, who was living in the US illegally has been detained on wire fraud and conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors allege John O'Brien was in the US even after his tourist visa expired in 2021.
Acting Rhode Island United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom says that O'Brien and several others would go to a home and induced home owners to do tens of thousands of dollars in repairs to their foundations, even though there wasn't anything wrong with them.
Charging documents suggest that the scam was run in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
The US Attorney became involved when an 83 year old Warwick, Rhode Island resident contacted police to inform them that he had been scammed.
Officials say that O'Brien and his company, Traditional Masonry took in nearly two million dollars from unknowing consumers.
O'Brien has made his initial federal court appearance.
(Rhode Island US Attorney Photos)