A British national from Northern Ireland has admitted to a federal judge in Providence that he was involved in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme. The scheme reportedly netted more than a million dollars, according to Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Elijah Gavin, 29, pleaded guilty to charges including wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in documents used for entry into the United States. Gavin acknowledged using various aliases to defraud property owners across Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York by misrepresenting construction needs or repairs required on their properties.
Gavin and his co-conspirators established multiple construction businesses under false pretenses regarding their status and expertise. They misled homeowners about the condition of their properties and the work needed. Between October 2022 and January 2025, they defrauded property owners of over one million dollars. This included $850,000 from a widow in Rhode Island and other elderly victims in several states.
Additionally, Gavin sent checks representing fraudulently obtained funds to money launderers in New York and California. He is also a fugitive from justice in the United Kingdom who entered the U.S. illegally using a falsified Electronic System for Travel Authorization application.
The FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center describes “Conmen Travelers” as groups of Irish or U.K. nationals who enter the U.S. illegally or overstay visas. They solicit construction work under false pretenses and often perform low-quality or incomplete work without proper documentation or permits.
Gavin has been detained since his arrest on January 29, 2025, in New Jersey. His sentencing is scheduled for September 11, 2025. A federal district judge will determine his sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and Taylor A. Dean are prosecuting the case which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, and U.S Diplomatic Security Service.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
