A four-month undercover operation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has ended with 50 arrests of people accused of working as contractors without a license while homeowners are still rebuilding from back-to-back hurricanes.

Under “Operation Bad Builder,” undercover detectives set up a base in Riverview and posed as residents who needed home repairs. From June 1 to Oct. 2, they answered online ads for construction work. Some of the ads came from people who had previously been reported for incomplete or shoddy jobs.

Authorities said 18 of the 50 people arrested are in the country illegally.

Investigators said many of those arrested have significant criminal histories. One man who agreed to do plumbing and electrical work without a license quoted $2,500 for installing plumbing, rewiring, moving an outlet, and putting in overhead lights. He asked for a $1,000 deposit up front. Deputies said he had been arrested in June for domestic battery by strangulation.

Another suspect’s record includes kidnapping, sexual battery, robbery, drug charges, and assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, according to investigators. Calvin Wilson quoted $14,000 for heating and air conditioning work and wanted half of it in advance. Deputies said he was previously arrested on the same type of charge in Pinellas County. Wilson is a convicted felon whose record includes robbery, grand theft, and aggravated battery.

The sheriff’s office has not released a total dollar figure for the losses in the complaints that preceded the sting.

Authorities said demand for construction work remains high across Florida as Hillsborough County residents recover from the storms. Unlicensed operators often tempt homeowners with promises of an immediate start, skipping permit delays and inspections. Sheriff’s officials said hiring them puts families at risk and often leaves victims with unfinished work or empty bank accounts. Licensed contractors, they noted, must pass testing that verifies their trade skills before they work in a home.

Deputies urged residents to be wary of online and social media ads for quick repairs. Homeowners should insist on a written contract, never pay the full balance up front, and walk away if something feels wrong. Licensed contractors will readily show their credentials, and residents can check any trade license at MyFloridaLicense.com before hiring.

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