PICKENS COUNTY — A Pelzer man has been arrested after a Pickens County Sheriff’s Office investigation into a paving scam.

Eddie Smith, 47, of 7005 Highway 29 North, Pelzer, is charged with two counts each of obtaining goods under false pretenses, swindling and unlawful practice.

According to Pickens County Sheriff’s Office officials, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division contacted the agency in the spring concerning a group of Irish Travelers operating in the area.

The Irish Travelers have been connected with scam operations in the past.

Officials said that victims came forward concerning a company called SmithCo Paving operating in the area.

The victims stated that they were approached by an individual at their residence who claimed he needed to unload several loads of asphalt at a discounted price. When the work was completed, the individual from SmithCo charged an amount that was substantially more than the agreed upon price of the job, police said.

The original price quote for the paving work “was knowingly and designedly false with the intent to defraud,” warrants state.

The initial investigation revealed that several reports had already been filed regarding SmithCo, police said.

Smith was arrested on May 12, police said.

Smith allegedly “did overreach, cheat or defraud” victims, warrants state.

Smith is not licensed to practice as a contractor in the state of South Carolina, warrants state.

Police say that Smith operated under as many as 15 alias.

Smith was released from the county detention center on a $20,000 surety bond.

The investigation was conducted by the Sheriff’s Office, SLED and the South Carolina Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

Pickens County Sheriff C. David Stone warned residents to be wary of paving and other construction scams.

“If it’s too good to be true, then it is usually not true,” Stone said. “Anytime someone comes to your residence unsolicited seeking to do paving, painting, roofing, or any other type construction or repair work, it should raise a red flag to use extreme caution in dealing with these folks.”

Residents should report any suspicious activity to law enforcement, he said.

“We had rather investigate a hundred suspicious persons before they can con someone rather than to investigate one incident where someone has been flimflammed,” he said