Federal investigators say they have dismantled a sophisticated counterfeit money operation that netted two suspects more than $300,000 in luxury jewelry at Carolina Place Mall.
Authorities identified the men as Devin Elliott and Robert Elliott III, who allegedly carried out the elaborate scheme at Solitaire Jewelry before being caught in Mississippi.
According to court filings, the pair first earned the trust of store employees by presenting stacks of legitimate currency. Investigators say the suspects asked staff to hold high-value jewelry, then returned with both genuine and counterfeit cash. While the worker counted $10,000 in real bills, prosecutors claim the men used sleight of hand to slip in fake money.
The tactic reportedly worked about 30 times, enabling the suspects to walk away with high-end items, including a $90,000 diamond watch and a $32,000 chain.
Former FBI Investigations Division Assistant Director Chris Swecker called the plan “fairly creative” and difficult to execute without raising suspicion.
Investigators also noted that the men flaunted their wealth online, posting photos of themselves with large stacks of cash on Instagram.
A Solitaire Jewelry employee, who asked not to be named, expressed relief over the arrests but declined to elaborate on the details of the theft.
Officials are still working to determine how the stolen jewelry was resold and whether others may have been involved in the operation. Authorities say the arrests mark a major step in shutting down the counterfeit ring.
