British national residing illegally in the US accused of role in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York $1+ million home repair fraud scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A British national from Northern Ireland accused of residing illegally in the United States has been indicted by a Rhode Island federal grand jury for allegedly participating in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme uncovered by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation. The scheme is alleged to have defrauded residents of several states of over $1 million.

The indictment charges Elijah Gavin aka Timothy O’Reilly aka Elijah Thomas, 29, with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.

According to court documents, Gavin and other co-conspirators are purported to be associated with the so-called Traveling Conmen Fraud Group (Conmen Travelers), a group recognized by the FBI’s Terrorist Screen Center as a transnational organized crime group.

Gavin and his co-conspirators allegedly defrauded property owners in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York of more than over $1 million by misrepresenting to property owners who they were, the qualifications of their construction businesses, and construction needs or repairs required on properties. Co-conspirators billed property owners and collected funds for equipment that was not needed or used.

The victims of this scheme included a 78-year-old Rhode Island woman who was fraudulently induced to pay over $850,000 for unnecessary foundation and basement repairs, including in checks written to Gavin and others.    

Money collected through this conspiracy was deposited into bank accounts controlled by co-conspirators or transferred to other individuals who laundered the fraudulently obtained funds.

Gavin last entered the United States lawfully in 2022 but did not comply with the terms of his admission. He is currently wanted on local charges in the U.K. Gavin has been detained in criminal federal custody since his arrest in New Jersey on January 29. Arraignment is scheduled for March 10, 2025, at the U.S. District Court in Providence.    

The matter is being investigated by ICE, the Rhode Island State Police, and U.S Diplomatic Security Service.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.