King Five Investigators Uncover Widespread Chimney Repair Crime Ring Impacting Washington Homeowners

King Five investigators detail a large-scale construction scam impacting homeowners across Washington State. Homeowners recount encounters with men offering quick chimney or roof repairs, leading to escalating quotes: initial estimates of $1,400–$2,000 quickly ballooned upwards ($22,000 and beyond), sometimes exceeding $100,000–$193,500. Detective Matthew Weich from Redmond Police describes cases of $500,000 and $348,000 losses, and sources estimate over $2 million stolen in King County within 18 months, suggesting it is "one of the largest construction scams in the last two decades".

The suspects, described as a ring of men using rotating business names (some fake, others impersonating real companies) and frequently changing personal identities, often speak with "a very strong...Irish accent". Investigators believe the accents are genuine, noting many suspects possess fraudulent passports or have overstayed visas, complicating identification and arrest. Victims were often reassured by legitimate-seeming details: state registration, bonding, clean Better Business Bureau records, and professional websites. Yet, after initial agreements were signed (frequently for brick or chimney repairs), contractors would claim new issues, increase prices, and pressure for more payment. Tactics escalated to threats—recorded phone calls captured demands: "If I need to go to my solicitor, I need to put in a leaning against your property, I can do that," and direct damage when payments were refused.

King Five reviewed 30 consumer complaints submitted to the Washington Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, court filings, and online reviews—all matching the same pattern. Investigators found company addresses (e.g., Truecraft Masonry) listed at places they’d never occupied, further obscuring the suspects' trail. Victims included not just homeowners but day laborers, who were promised payment and abandoned after substandard work. Legitimate mason Ekram Shaw evaluated the repairs: "It's just crap," adding fireplaces left by these crews were potentially deadly.

Homeowners expressed regret, feelings of foolishness, and lasting financial damage. By the time poor quality and unnecessary work was discovered—such as holes created and non-existent issues repaired—the perpetrators and the money were gone.