‘Irish Traveler’ scammer busted
A suspected “Irish Traveler” construction scammer has been busted by local police, who seized more than $70,000 and alleged stolen jewelry from his vehicle.
The Irish national who was pulled over by Quincy Police is allegedly involved in an Irish Traveler construction scam — a crime that has reportedly been on the rise in the Bay State.
“Law Enforcement in Massachusetts has recently issued several advisories about suspected ‘Irish Traveler’ schemes and encourage victims to report this crime so that it can be investigated,” Quincy Police said in a statement.
“These scams usually start with an unsolicited visit to someone’s home by a contractor stating they have ‘leftover materials’ and the person keeps finding more items to repair on your property,” police added.
A Quincy police officer on Saturday at around 11:04 a.m., saw a Land Rover Defender exit the Holiday Inn Express in North Quincy, and make an illegal left turn driving the wrong way onto Stratton Way. The officer stopped the Land Rover Defender on West Squantum Street in Quincy.
The Irish national was operating the vehicle without a license. He was cited for a one way/restricted way violation and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was towed, and the driver and passengers were sent on their way.
A motor vehicle inventory was conducted before the vehicle was towed. More than $70,000 in U.S. and foreign currency, foreign ID documents, and a large quantity of what is believed to be stolen jewelry was seized.
The jewelry included four graduation class rings: 1960’s Piedmont High School, 1960’s Woonsocket High School, 1970’s Female West Point, and 1990’s Texas A&M.
The pending charges are a result of good police work, said Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy.
“It is important for victims of these type of sophisticated scams to report these crimes as it allows our detectives to investigate and coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in the area since these crimes are a regional issue,” Kennedy added.
The individual’s name wasn’t published because he wasn’t arrested. The driver was issued a summons to appear in Quincy District Court for motor vehicle offenses.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was notified, and this matter remains under investigation by the Quincy Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.