A phone scam that allegedly preyed on a Jones County family ended at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where state agents and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested a Cary man they say was behind the scheme. Authorities identified him as 40-year-old Christopher Aaron Murray of Cary. He is being held in Mecklenburg County, with a first court appearance set for Monday. Investigators say the caller posed as someone warning that the victims' bank accounts had been compromised, then demanded money. The State Bureau of Investigation and the Jones County Sheriff’s Office say the case is still active as they work to find out if anyone else was hit.
Arrest at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
The arrest capped a roughly month-long investigation by SBI agents that began after the Jones County Sheriff’s Office asked for help on March 18. Authorities tracked Murray to the airport, where Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police took him into custody before he was moved to the county detention center. According to WSOC, investigators relied on call tracing along with more traditional investigative work to zero in on a suspect.
Charges and Custody
Murray now faces a list of felony charges, including conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretenses, exploitation of a disabled or elderly person in a position of trust, and impersonating a law enforcement officer, according to Queen City News. He is being held at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center while he waits for that Monday court appearance, the outlet reports.
How the Alleged Scam Worked
Investigators say the caller told the Jones County family that their bank account had been compromised, then ramped up the pressure and pushed them to send money to "fix" the problem - a tactic that has become all too familiar in phone and payment-demand scams. SBI agents say call logs and other investigative steps helped them narrow down a suspect, a trail that eventually led to the arrest at CLT. WSOC reported that the investigation started in mid-March and ran for about a month before the arrest.
Investigators Urge Anyone Targeted to Come Forward
Authorities say they suspect there may be more victims and are urging anyone who got a similar call to contact law enforcement instead of paying up. Per the Jones County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI Coastal District office, residents should hang up, refuse to send money or gift cards, and report any suspicious contact to local police or the SBI. The State Bureau of Investigation lists its Coastal District office in Jacksonville as the contact point for tips tied to this case on its district page.
Legal Notes
The charges filed are felonies that carry serious penalties if proven, though Murray is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted in court. For information on booking procedures and how arrests are processed in Charlotte, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Processing Center handles intake for people arrested in the county. Details are available through the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
