2 Men Charged in $1.3 Million Construction Scam in Ventura County

Two men from Los Angeles County have been charged after allegedly defrauding multiple Ventura County residents in a large‑scale construction fraud scheme.

Here is the rundown 👇

What We Know

The suspects are identified as Ben Nino Hunter of Hidden Hills and Morgan Elkarif of Los Angeles.

They are accused of running a construction scam that targeted at least three victims in Ventura County. The total alleged loss to victims is more than $1.3 million.

Charges filed against them include seven felony counts of grand theft, conspiracy to defraud another’s property, and diversion of construction funds. They also face two misdemeanor violations for contracting without a license and accepting excessive payment.

Prosecutors allege special circumstances: excessive financial loss over $1.3 million, targeting a particularly vulnerable victim, and abuse of a position of trust.

How the Scam Worked

The men operated under business names including Wellbilt Inc. and Archie Inc.

Among the accusations: during a mold‑remediation job at one home they allegedly caused extensive damage, requested large additional payments, but then failed to complete the agreed work.

The pattern reportedly repeated with multiple victims, leading to the high total losses.

Timeline

The investigation began in September 2024 after a victim reported the fraud.

On December 3, 2025, law enforcement arrested Hunter and Elkarif at their homes in Los Angeles County.

They made their first court appearance shortly afterward.

An arraignment and risk‑assessment hearing is scheduled for December 8, 2025.

Both remain in custody with bail set at $200,000.

Official Statement

Chief investigator Scott Whitney said crimes of this type not only inflict financial damage but also undermine trust in legitimate contractors and businesses. He praised investigators for their work uncovering the scheme and called on any additional victims to come forward.

What You Can Do

Victims or witnesses are encouraged to contact the state contractors licensing board investigator Matthew Boeck at (909) 890‑2240. Additional information may help uncover the full scope of the fraud.