Groups of nomadic people who are becoming increasingly notorious for their home improvement scams are known as Irish Travelers. Over the years, they have been the subject of various reports and revelations. Almost exclusively, the media coverage they receive revolves, in one way or another, around a new Bunco crime perpetrated among the citizens. The origins and traditions of this small clan, the types of crimes they engage in, and some of their most important schemes can be helpful in protecting against victimization. Irish travelers began arriving in the United States during the Great Famine in Ireland. in the middle of the 19th century. They are believed to be the descendants of landowners and laborers who were displaced by Oliver Cromwell's military campaign in Ireland in the 1600s. As they retain no written record of their history, their true legacy is still the subject of debate. On arriving in this country they were known as the Irish Horse Traders for their connections with the horse trading industry. It was suggested that upon arrival they engaged in schemes to defraud potential customers. This clan of Roman Catholics lives by a strict philosophy they call the "Traveler's Code." No known written code exists, except perhaps within the clan itself. They have a separate and distinct lifestyle in which they rarely associate with outsiders, whom they call "country folk." In the presence of country people, travelers speak an ancient language derived from Gaelic called Cant. They marry within their own group, they rarely receive education beyond primary school, and secrecy is a way of life for Travelers. (Dateline NBC)The largest Irish Traveler community in the United States is known as Murphy Village, middle of paper....../09/murphys-village.htmlDuke, L. (2002, October 20 ). Unwelcome glances at a quiet clan. Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.rickross.com/reference/irish_travelers/irish_travelers10.html McIlvain, J. (September 23, 2002). Irish Traveler Scams. Retrieved from http://troubleshooterjudd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:irish-travelers-scams&catid=8:home-remodeling-topics&Itemid=5Ripley, A. (October 7, 2002). Unwanted exposure. TIME, retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1003381,00.htmlRoeper, R. (September 24, 2002). Mom brings luggage from Irish travelers. Retrieved from http://www.rickross.com/reference/irish_travelers/irish_travelers5.htmlThrone, K. (June 1, 2001). Seven Irish travelers accused of fraud. The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved from http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/06/01/met_310376.shtm