How UK and Irish conmen spend cash from US construction scams
BBC World
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A group of UK and Irish nationals known as The Travelling Conmen has defrauded US victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through construction scams. Jane, a New York woman who asked not to use her real name due to fear of retaliation, lost nearly $1 million after being targeted by these con artists. The gang, designated as a transnational organized crime group by the FBI, operates primarily in the construction sector, luring victims with promises of home improvements before disappearing with their money.
The scams typically involve overcharging for materials or services and then vanishing without delivering on promised work. Jane’s case escalated when she was pressured to write multiple checks totaling $200,000 under false pretenses, including threats to her children’s safety if she refused. The conmen used the stolen funds to purchase expensive items like a 10-carat diamond ring, which one member of the group flaunted on social media. Other victims have reported similar experiences, with some losing life savings and others targeted multiple times.
The Travelling Conmen have been linked to numerous construction fraud cases across the US. Some members, including James Dinnigan from Ireland, have already been convicted and sentenced to prison for their crimes. The FBI investigation highlights how these con artists exploit victims’ trust in local contractors, often operating under fake business names to avoid detection. Jane’s story is a cautionary tale about the importance of verifying contractors’ identities and financial transactions, especially when dealing with unfamiliar businesses.
This case underscores the global nature of organized crime, with criminals exploiting vulnerabilities across international borders. The Travelling Conmen’s ability to manipulate victims in the US while operating from the UK and Ireland raises questions about law enforcement cooperation and the challenges of combating transnational fraud. For readers interested in global security and financial scams, this story provides a chilling insight into the tactics used by organized crime groups targeting innocent individuals.
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/24/2026