NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — Police are actively searching for a father-and-son team that was recently exposed by Local 10 News for allegedly scamming elderly residents. According to neighbors, the duo has struck again, targeting an 85-year-old legally blind man who says he was defrauded out of $28,000 for a roof that was never properly installed.
The investigation follows Local 10 News coverage that first uncovered the pair in a separate driveway scam, in which an elderly woman and her neighbor were allegedly cheated out of thousands of dollars. That prior exposure helped the original victims recover their money, but in this latest case, the new victim has not been reimbursed.
Retired firefighter and neighbor Bill Simpson recognized the men immediately when they appeared on Local 10. Pointing at the photographs on the screen, Simpson said, “This picture right here? These are the guys? Yes sir. That truck right here? 100%. 100%.”
He said he was alarmed that the men had victimized another member of the community.
The victim, Andras Sagi, told Local 10 News that the men came to his front door, promised a brand-new roof, and convinced him to pay $28,000 in cash.
Sagi, who speaks little English and is legally blind, said, “New wood, new roof, brand new roof. I am paying $28,000. Garbage. No more money.” He said the work they completed was minimal and left his roof in worse condition than before.
The contract the men provided falsely claimed they were licensed, insured, and that their work came with a 25-year guarantee.
North Miami City Commissioner Kevin Burns, who is also a neighbor, immediately contacted police after learning about the scam. He condemned the alleged fraud, calling it “elderly abuse and fraud.”
He said, “These people were unlicensed. They put up four or five sheets of plywood, a couple of two-by-fours, and made the situation worse than what his initial problem was. It is probably $300 worth of material, yet they ripped him off for $28,000.”
Burns contacted the police, and the North Miami chief of police personally toured Sagi’s property to assess the damage.
Authorities say the suspects may be transient and could have fled the area following Local 10’s initial coverage.
Anyone with information is asked to call the North Miami Police Department.
Officials are urging the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited home repair offers, to verify licenses, and to never pay large sums in cash to unverified contractors.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
