A British national from Northern Ireland, Elijah Gavin, has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting to his role in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme that resulted in losses exceeding one million dollars. Gavin also pleaded guilty to using false information to enter the United States.
Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced that U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Gavin, 29, to 48 months in prison. The court also ordered him to forfeit $4,885.57, pay a forfeiture money judgment of $1,000,000, restitution totaling $1,109,500, and special assessments amounting to $400 across two cases. The sentences will run concurrently.
Gavin admitted that he used various aliases when contacting property owners in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. He misrepresented construction needs or repairs required on their properties and defrauded them through false claims about his businesses’ status and experience. “Gavin and his co-conspirators formed multiple construction businesses and falsely represented the business’ status, experience, and quality of work; falsely represented their identities and skills to homeowners; and made false representations to property owners regarding the condition of their properties, work they would perform, and the machinery, materials, and equipment needed to perform work,” according to court documents.
Between October 2022 and January 2025, Gavin and his associates defrauded property owners out of more than one million dollars. Victims included a widow in Rhode Island who lost $850,000 as well as other elderly individuals in several states and a church in New York. Gavin sent checks representing these fraudulent funds to money launderers located in New York and California.
Authorities stated that Gavin is a fugitive from justice in the United Kingdom who entered the United States illegally by submitting a false Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application. His application omitted material facts about his criminal history in the UK.
The FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center describes “Conmen Travelers” as groups of Irish or UK nationals who often enter the U.S. illegally or overstay visas before soliciting construction work across different states. These groups typically quote low prices but later demand more money or claim major repairs are needed. They frequently hire day laborers without proper documentation or permits and perform substandard or incomplete work.
Gavin was arrested in New Jersey on January 29, 2025, and has remained in federal custody since then.
Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and Taylor A. Dean prosecuted the case following investigations by Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, and U.S Diplomatic Security Service.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration issues as well as dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts involving Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
