Standard Democrat

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The nomadic group known as the Irish Travelers is being blamed for swindling an elderly Sikeston woman out of thousands of dollars.

According to Sikeston Department of Public Safety director Drew Juden, two men asked to power-wash the woman's home last Friday and agreed on a price of $30.

The suspects changed the amount on the check to $3,030 and cashed it at a local bank, Juden said.

Detectives working on the case have spoken with South Carolina authorities and discovered multiple warrants for the suspects in this case, who were described as the Irish Travelers. A check through the National Crime Information Center shows one of the suspects is wanted in several states.

The victim's name is not being released while more information is gathered.

Juden said power-washing is a common scam, as are driveway repairs and resurfacing, roofing repairs and common household fix-it tasks.