Returning National Alleges Fraud by Builder and Lack of Police Action
A returning Antiguan national has raised serious concerns about alleged fraud and misconduct by a local builder who is also a serving police officer.
In a letter to the press, the individual described hiring the builder in July 2024 to construct a modest two-bedroom wooden home, only to face what was described as “a deeply disappointing and distressing ordeal.”
According to the account, the project quickly fell into disarray. Construction was halted for weeks when a carpenter left, while structural flaws such as incorrectly installed ceiling beams, mismatched tiles, and substandard paintwork emerged. Electrical wiring was allegedly installed at the wrong voltage, raising potential safety risks. Closets were left unfinished, and materials were said to have been salvaged from other sites.
The writer claims to have paid over $160,000 EC but says the builder abandoned the site for months, later citing “demotivation.” Despite repeated requests, no receipts or breakdown of expenses were reportedly provided. Instead, the homeowner alleges they were met with verbal abuse and evasive behaviour, including staged photographs meant to give the impression of progress.
Over nine months, the complainant states that “not one area of the house was properly completed,” and described the final structure as unsafe and far removed from the agreed design.
When the matter was reported to police, the individual says little action followed. A report lodged at a local station was allegedly not pursued, and a referral to the Commissioner’s office produced only an acknowledgement.
The complainant expressed alarm that the builder remains a serving police officer, arguing that the lack of accountability “sends a dangerous message to the public and severely undermines trust in our institutions.”
The writer is now calling on the authorities to investigate the matter fully and to ensure that returning nationals are better protected from exploitation.
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He needs to take civil action. See a lawyer.
Their only recourse will be to sue him.
This is not a police matter. It is breach of contract which is a civil matter for the High Court. Get a lawyer and sue.
Which will takes years for the case to be called.
Anybody who takes money to do a job for an agreed price & REFUSE to do the job properly & completely for no good reason, & when you try to contact them you’re met with verbal abuse and evasive behaviour, such an individual is a WICKED person who out of stupidity & dishonesty think they can act with impunity, & while filing a police report against such a WICKED person is a part of the legal process to seek URGENT redress, consulting a lawyer to make them pay for their stupidity, dishonesty, & impunity is the BEST course of action.
Police seem to protect their own.
This case is not a police case. This is a civil matter. You can get justice by seeking the services of a Lawyer and sue him. Going to the Police cannot help you. The Police can investigate the matter and if there is evidence to prove your claim, then the police can charge him disciplinary .
Just another sad story in Gangsters Paradise, Antigua and to think he is an officer of the law
This is a civil matter. It will also take years in court. Speaking from experience
In this age of fraud, deception and crookery, one cannot give any meaningful assignments and jobs where considerable sums of money are involved to anyone without a corresponding contract. Policeman or not, protecting yourself and your investment is important. Whether you know the builder or contractor very well is besides the point. You leave yourself open to trickery and theft and unsatisfactory work without recourse when the proper steps are not followed. Contracts are an absolute necessity!