Irish 'traveling salesman' who bullied New England homeowners into $1.5m of unnecessary repairs is jailed... as his aunt pleads for mercy 'because he once collected money in bucket for Ethiopia'

Published: 06:22, 8 April 2026 | Updated: 06:23, 8 April 2026 An Irish 'salesman' was sentenced to jail after conning dozens of New England homeowners out of more than $1 million in a 'traveling conman' scheme.  John O’Brien, 28, was sentenced to 56 months behind bars after victims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts said they were pawns in his scam. O’Brien convinced more than 100 victims their homes needed repairs and falsely promised to do the work, charging them their life savings, prosecutors said.  The Irish national often used a 'charming demeanor' when approaching his victims, and some reported he used 'scare tactics' to bully them into paying large sums. Some of his tactics included pressuring homeowners by claiming their house would collapse if he didn’t fix it immediately, and even causing some of the damage himself.  O'Brien originally moved to the US in the summer of 2021 to 'seek out better financial opportunities,' Interim US Attorney Charles C Calenda’s office said in a sentencing memorandum obtained by the Boston Globe. 'But from the very beginning, his version of the "American dream" relied on deceit and exploitation,' Assistant US Attorney Taylor A Dean wrote. His fraudulent scheme came to light after an 83-year-old Warwick, Rhode Island, resident reported O'Brien to the police. Irish national John O’Brien, 28, was sentenced to 56 months behind bars after victims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts said they were pawns in his scam Inspection of victim two's property in court documents, O'Brien scammed over 100 homeowners O’Brien had claimed the older man’s foundation had cracks and charged $9,500 to fix it, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island. He later said there was more damage and asked for another $80,000. A home inspector found the repairs weren’t needed. Other homeowners reported similar scams. In total, his victims lost over $1 million.  Prosecutors said the 28-year-old con artist used the cash to 'feed his lavish lifestyle.' O'Brien reportedly bought luxury cars, expensive beauty treatments, and had 'an extravagant monthly entertainment budget,' prosecutors wrote. The scammer also exploited workers, using day laborers who didn’t speak English and didn’t complain, with one laborer saying he hadn’t been paid in three weeks.  When O’Brien was arrested, investigators found hundreds of company flyers in his car, along with binders of contracts and invoices from April 2024 to March 2025.  The contracts ranged from $300 to $205,000, totaling nearly $2 million, the Attorney's office said. O’Brien pleaded guilty to wire fraud back in December 2025. Photo's of victim one's inspection of damage O'Brien had made Photos of 'fresh damage and chips to the concrete foundation around the entirety of the residence,' court documents read Numerous hammers, and a pile of nails stuck through cardboard were observed, which appeared consistent with using them as a chisel to break away the concrete  Don Fife, a victim in the scheme, spoke to WJAR, saying O'Brien targeted him at a 'vulnerable time' Despite this, the Irish man received many letters of support praising his character.  His aunt pleaded for mercy by saying he once collected money in a bucket in Dublin to help raise funds for homeless people in Ireland and Ethiopia. 'I am sure he will get back to this selfless work after this bridge is crossed,' she wrote. His father wrote that O'Brien 'is not a criminal,' he is 'the type of man who goes to church every Sunday, who hugs and kisses his kids goodnight,' it read in part. Senator Eileen Flynn, a member of the upper house of the Irish Parliament, even described him as a man of kind and strong character.  O’Brien teared up in court while apologizing to the victims, WPRI reported. 'I’m a disappointment to my wife, kids and family,' he said. 'I am not proud of who I was when I made those decisions, but I am determined to become a better person.' In a statement following his sentencing, O'Brien's attorney called the outcome 'fair.'  'After weighing the full picture, Judge McConnell reduced the guidelines by four levels and imposed a sentence grounded in fairness, not just math,' Todd Spodek said in a statement. The 'Traveling Conman Fraud' is common across Europe, Australia, and Canada, and has recently unfolded in the New England region. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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