Exposing Moran Elkarif: Who is Moran Elkarif?

Moe Elkarif is the latest in a long line of side-kicks that Ben has had. While Ben is the "brains" of the scam, Moran is responsible for the execution - dealing with subs, trying to calm people down after Ben has been angry with them. Moran was born in 1981 and grew up in Israel, in the beach-side town of Nahariyah (address was Khanita Street #2, apartment 2, Google map image here, thanks to the reader that wrote in and corrected the city and added the actual address!). At some point, his father and Moran immigrated to the US to join some of his paternal family in the LA area. His mother, Fany Cohen-Elkarif and siblings seemed to have stayed in Israel (and I might add, are all gainfully employed in fields such as HR and have so far somehow found ways not to scam anyone). His father, Shlomi Elkarif has subsequently moved back to Israel, works a sales job and is active on Israeli dating sites (though he lists his age as 50 when he is really 64. Maybe telling lies runs in families?). Moran's first marriage was to a woman far more motivated and talented that he was. This first marriage didn't last long, for reasons unknown. I am redacting her name as to not continually conflate his name with hers, but she is extremely successful and clearly very good at her job. Her family ran (and still runs) a successful contracting business. Perhaps Moran got his start with them? Coinciding with his first marriage and subsequent divorce, Moran held a security guard license for two years (Feb 2012-2014). It is unknown if he ever used it.

Moran, sources say, was never terribly successful in the construction business. He had various companies - MM Contructions (yes, misspelled), Elite Home Remodeling LLC and G&M Remodeling. When Ben returned from his sojourns up in Northern California, he needed a lackey. Somehow, he met Moran (and no, before you ask they are NOT cousins) and Ben promised him a great deal of money. In that respect, Ben has kept his promise to Moran. But Moran, since you read this website, you should know that we know Ben going back many, many years. He has never been loyal to anyone but himself and he will dump you whenever it is expedient for him.

Moran Elkarif aka Moe Elkarif

Moe's second marriage seems more successful in the sense that he has managed to stay married for longer. However, he does have two small children (under 5 and so perhaps that is the reason that he has stayed married..) and his wife is either more amenable to Moran's scams or she does not want to know.

One thing Moran has in common with Ben is his love for luxury goods. Moran, like his mentor and teacher, loves the finer things in life - and he does not mind scamming others in order to get the Givenchy shoes ($675) or the YSL Espadrilles for his wife ($745). There are $1400 in shoes in this photo alone. I have not explored the clothes, the watches or anything else.... Yet. Moran also likes his $425 haircuts in Beverly Hills as per his review on Yelp (yep, a Brazilian blowout for a man and a haircut is $425 plus a tip - see here here). Moran, let me tell you I shop for clothes at Target and get my hair cut at Supercuts - the Westlake Village location is fantastic (ask for Amy or Annabella)! Also, stop spending my money that you owe me on fucking ridiculous things and just give it back to me. He also has both his kids in private school that costs $40,000 a year EACH, and neither of them have started first grade. Moran's rent is $7,500 a month (his address is available via public records, Zillow shows what the house was rented for). I do not put this information in my website to dox Moran or to shame him for his spending. But now that his company is suspended by the CSLB and he can no longer work as a contractor (see here and here), and just his rent and tuition for his kids is $170,000 a year what is he going to do? Remember, Moran has a high school education, and the only other thing he is seemingly qualified for is as a security guard making probably around $25 an hour. He clearly has made massive amounts of money running this construction scam with Ben Halifi Hunter (aka "Archie").

The irony is that Moran's last name Elkarif in Arabic means literally "The Bringer of Autumn" when translated directly. The Arabic subtext for the name (and how it is used in Arabic to this day) means "one who brings about positive impact", it is someone who brings transformation to their surroundings. Moran, you fail to live up to your name. Shame on you. I hope your family never finds out what you have been doing. If they are anything like my family, you would be disowned immediately.

Moran's acquaintances note the tremendous stress working with Ben has put him under. He has changed beyond all recognition. He sold his soul in pursuit of the almighty dollar. Moran, you can do better. Moran is now using phone numbers: (424) 722-6794, (310) 403-9974 and (424) 944-2328.