In a subsequent update article it was explained what happened. It was not stealing a driveway, which was a regular paved driveway.
The scam was one of those bad check scams. Someone pretended to be a homeowner asking a contractor for a task. Contractor does task, fake homeowner gives a check but uh oh it was for the wrong amount, can you just refund me the difference?
Check is bad. “Refund” is good. Scammer has money and disappears. When the contractor goes to collect the homeowner isnt the person they dealt with.