Bohemia Man Stole $16.5K In Construction Fraud Scheme: Police

AMITYVILLE, NY — A Bohemia man was arrested Monday after police said he posed as the owner of a construction company and stole $16,500 from a woman for work that was never performed.

An Amityville woman hired Paul Sanderson to renovate a storefront at Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, Suffolk County police said. Sanderson claimed to own a legitimate construction business when he visited the woman’s home on March 30, presented forged insurance documents and accepted payment for the project, according to police.

Sanderson never delivered materials or began the renovation, police said.

The woman later contacted the construction company she believed she had hired and learned that Sanderson was not affiliated with the business, according to police. She reported the incident on June 16.

Following an investigation by Suffolk County police Financial Crimes Unit detectives, Sanderson, 40, was charged with third-degree grand larceny and first-degree identity theft.

He was scheduled to be arraigned Monday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Police asked anyone who believes they may also have been victimized by Sanderson to contact Financial Crimes Unit detectives at 631-852-6821.