Scam Alert: Homeowners Report Fraud by Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif
A Pattern of Construction Fraud Leaves California Homeowners in Financial Ruin
Contractors Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif are being named in a growing number of complaints alleging construction fraud, unfinished jobs, and financial deception across California. Operating under various business names, Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif reportedly target homeowners seeking remodels or repairs—only to leave behind demolished homes, empty wallets, and unanswered calls.
How the Scam Works: From Friendly Pitch to Financial Trap
According to multiple victims, Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif begin with a polished pitch: they’re personable, professional, and offer middle-of-the-road bids that seem reasonable. After securing a modest deposit and beginning demolition, the problems “start showing up.” Alleged issues with plumbing, mold, faulty wiring, and foundations are discovered—none of which were mentioned before. Each supposed emergency requires a costly change order.
Clients report being hit with over $100,000 in surprise charges. When questioned, Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif insist that the work must stop unless deposits are paid immediately. Desperate to finish the job, many homeowners comply.
Stalled Projects and Vanishing Contractors
Once the bulk of the money is collected, reports say the pace slows dramatically. Subcontractors—some of whom say they were never fully paid—begin skipping days, then stop coming altogether. Texts and voicemails go unanswered. Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif allegedly become hard to reach, and when they do respond, it’s often with hostility.
“Ben Nino Hunter told me I owed him money,” said one victim, “even though the house was left half-gutted and 80% of the payments were gone.”
Subcontractors also claim that both Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif regularly delay approvals, with some saying they had to chase them down for weeks just to get paid. Many workers say they were only partially compensated, if at all.
Where the Money Goes
Estimates based on homeowner and court reports suggest that in 2022 and 2023, Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif handled around 10 to 12 jobs per year, grossing over $1.6 million. Minimal money was spent on labor or materials. The rest, victims allege, went toward leased luxury vehicles (including a G-Wagon, Alfa Romeo, and Land Rover), private school tuition, and high-end vacations.
Attorney fees to defend against lawsuits reportedly cost Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif upwards of $250,000 annually, but with little else in their name—no cars, no property—very few plaintiffs have recovered any money.
Legal Consequences? Rare.
Although the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has received complaints and launched investigations, many victims say the response is too slow. By the time action is taken, Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif have often moved on. In cases where Ben Nino Hunter and Moran Elkarif have had to payout to the victims, they have often flat out refused to do so in some cases not giving an excuse and in other cases claiming that they are "too depressed to work" and that a stroke that occurred 2 years ago is the reason that they now have no more income.