Elderly man loses $435K in home repairs scam

A man who handed over nearly half a million dollars to scammers posing as a home repair crew is sharing his story in hopes of preventing other people from being victimized by similar tactics.
David, who asked to only use his first name, was one of four victims in the recent case against brother Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, who pleaded guilty last month to federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and received 18-month prison sentences.
"They told me they had seen a hole in my roof and it needed to be repaired," said David. "I said ‘that can’t be, the roofing is roughly two years old'. They did exactly what they’re good at and that’s convincing you something needs to be done and they are going to do it, whether I want it or not.”
Over the course of several weeks, David gave the McDonagh brothers $435,000 in checks and a wire transfer.
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Jeremy Harris
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[@jamescole3152]

This is good news that they caught the scammers.

[@imjamming]

I stopped answering my door unless I am expecting a visitor.

[@jamescole3152]

Ah get a fence and a gate and a lock.

[@justjanexxx]

Don’t answer your phone either unless you know who is the caller

[@rschier1]

Exactly. I don't accept ANY soliciting at my door any longer, after having to toss a number of them......I'm no longer bothered at all. Same policy for the phone....

[@nyancatnatalie]

My elderly neighbor got scammed out of 10k. People are scum.

[@pleasejustdobetter]

that is heart breaking. Wouldve appreciating seeing the whole interview.

[@HikeColorado]

18 months for scamming this man out his life savings? What Judge sentenced these individuals? That’s not justice 🤬

[@CatWhiskering]

Big hint: truly GOOD service providers _never_ need to go door-to-door trying to drum up business. Really reliable and good contractors are always booked up solid via word of mouth. If some "contractor" comes to your door unsolicited telling you that you need a new roof or whatever, even if they were really experienced in what they say they do, they're junk, don't hire them.

[@shaggydawg5419]

18 months for stealing half a million dollar? I'm in.

[@mittiejackson3427]

People can't say no ... I have no problem telling someone no.

[@locn]

Then sell your services as a professional 'no-sayer' for people that can't say no

[@notanindianscammer7594]

I'm charming enough on the phone I think I could get you to say yes.

[@ingramr88]

say no then hit that BLOCK button in my phone!

[@JeffreyBrown-f4e]

First of all, they gang up on you, passing the conversation back-and-forth to each other to defeat all your resistance! If you yell or scream they call you mentally unstable!

[@Dayetime]

GooD ! They are horrible people to do that to him! I'm glad they are doing federal time and getting back to their main land for doing that . Good for that guy to tell his daughter!

[@rocket9580]

18 months..what a joke

[@OneQueenB]

Sad

[@seanmolloy6188]

Really 18 months just another clown show verdict from Washington State

[@thequake180]

With such a lenient sentence it is guaranteed these crooks will be at it again when they get out. Crime pays in USA.

[@QueenReina6419]

Lets make door to door sales a crime! No unexpected visitors!

[@Cowboy340]

Nice Reporting Komo News! The trusted Source for News!

[@SecretCollage]

That's terrible......

[@marioamayaflamenco]

They're only suspects but they're in prison. SMH

[@Hchin7owski]

If they only get 18 months they should have to listen to the victim’s daughter 24/7 during that time

[@Susan-c9w]

Only 18 months?

[@LoPerez-x6i]

They got awsy with all that money...18 months is nothing

[@OneQueenB]

Darn shame.

[@adaptivevision44]

Usual suspect?

[@patesangbedo]

What happened to asking them for a license number (roofers, contractors, plumbers, electricians have licenses you could look up online).

[@AnatliGiniko]

Century City, exactly normal.

[@Dragonfly_vbz]

Perhaps someone else needs to handle your finances. Come on. 😂

[@Jaramillo79305]

Lady , it doesn’t happen to anyone. It happens to stupid people.

[@manintoynenam]

🤦🤦🤦

[@georgecuster527]

Those Mc Donagh boys .

[@Cucumberflavoredmustard]

Irish travelers.

[@dustyrose9729]

YEP! Thought that immediately! Scary.

[@Hndjdj400]

There are irish travellers in US ?

[@Trad-Am]

​@@Hndjdj400: There are now, since the last 4 years of open borders!

[@johnalver]

And everything is lit lit