A British national from Northern Ireland accused of illegally residing in the United States has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island for allegedly participating in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme discovered by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation. The hoax is said to have duped people in many states out of more than $1 million.
The indictment charges Elijah Gavin, also known as Timothy O’Reilly or Elijah Thomas, 29, with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.
According to court filings, Gavin and other co-conspirators are said to be members of the Traveling Conmen Fraud Group (Conmen Travelers), which the FBI’s Terrorist Screen Center classifies as a global organized crime group.
Gavin and his co-conspirators allegedly defrauded property owners in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York out of more than $1 million by misrepresenting their identities, the qualifications of their construction businesses, and the construction needs or repairs required on properties. Co-conspirators billed property owners and collected payments for equipment that was neither needed nor used.
The victims of this hoax included a 78-year-old Rhode Island woman who was duped into paying over $850,000 for needless foundation and basement repairs, including checks sent to Gavin and others.
Money collected through this scheme was deposited into co-conspirators’ bank accounts or transferred to others who laundered the fraudulently obtained monies.
Gavin last entered the United States legally in 2022 but did not follow the requirements of his admission. The United Kingdom is currently seeking him for local charges. Gavin has been held in federal criminal detention since his arrest in New Jersey on January 29. The arraignment is planned for March 10, 2025, at the United States District Court in Providence.
The matter is being investigated by ICE, Rhode Island State Police, and the United States Diplomatic Security Service.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting an online tip form.
