The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking individuals in Chatham County and the surrounding areas who may have been victims of fraud by a couple promising home repairs to the tune of $2 million.
Jorge Alberto Garcia and his wife Helen Smith-Flores have been charged in connection with a scheme that defrauded at least 50 elderly victims of approximately $2 million, according to an FBI press release on Friday. The pair, which operated J&J Home Improvement and JH Home Improvements, operated in Chatham, Durham and Orange counties from December 2014 to April 2020.
"They took large payments for construction jobs and never completed the projects," the release stated. "Garcia approached elderly, retired victims at their residencies and offered his home improvement services. These victims were largely on fixed incomes and in many instances, also had significant health issues."
The case is being investigated by the FBI Raleigh Resident Agency in coordination with several local law enforcement agencies, including the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. Victims of the scam are asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or email NCHIvictims@fbi.gov and provide contact information and whether they have identified themselves as a victim to another law enforcement agency.
"You may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information," the release states. "The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes that it investigates and provide these victims with information, assistance services and resources."