(St. John’s, NL) September 25, 2026 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) has charged a St. John’s man for swindling seniors out of cash in a home repair and maintenance scheme.

This week alone the RNC is aware of cases where James Robert Dwyer persuaded two elderly women to give him money in exchange for jobs that he did not do. In one case, he convinced a woman to go to an ATM so she could withdraw funds to give him.

The 66-year-old was arrested yesterday and held for court on two counts of fraud and breaches of a release order. Further charges are anticipated.

Anyone who suspects they have been subject to fraudulent activity is asked to contact the RNC at 709-729-8000. Fraud under $5,000 can also be reported to the RNC through its online reporting portal.

To help protect yourself from renovation fraud:

• Obtain multiple written quotes before committing to any work.
• Verify a contractor’s credentials. Do not rely solely on what you find on social media.
• Be cautious of contractors who use high-pressure sales tactics, make unsolicited door-to-door offers, and demand immediate decisions.
• Ensure a detailed written contract is in place before any work begins.
• Never pay the full cost of a project upfront. Consider making payments in installments as work is completed

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Files 2026-63220, 2026-63044

Public Communications Unit
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca