KINSTON, N.C. — Police in eastern North Carolina dismantled a $2.8 million gold scam this week after a carefully planned sting operation outside a Kinston Walmart ended in a vehicle chase and crash.
According to the Kinston Police Department, the large-scale fraud investigation began in October 2025. A suspect using the name “Lucas,” along with several accomplices, allegedly convinced an elderly victim that his financial accounts had been compromised.
Investigators said the suspects impersonated federal and financial officials to gain the victim’s trust. The victim was provided with a controlled cellphone, while the suspects remotely accessed his personal computer.
Authorities say the scammers instructed the victim to wire funds to purchase gold through The Carolina Coin & Gold Company, photograph the gold, and later hand it over to couriers in the Kinston area. The victim ultimately reported losses totaling $2.8 million. During the investigation, the Internal Revenue Service placed a hold on the victim’s accounts.
On Thursday, police organized a controlled gold drop in the parking lot of the Walmart located at 4101 W. Vernon Ave. Once the exchange took place, detectives attempted to stop the suspect’s vehicle.
Police said the driver fled through the Walmart parking lot before heading north on Hill Farm Road. The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed into a utility pole at the intersection of Hill Farm Road and Banks School Road.
Michael Francois, 29, of Florida, was arrested at the scene. Police said Francois suffered a head injury after not wearing a seatbelt and striking the windshield during the crash. He was treated and later released into custody.
Francois was jailed on multiple charges, including exploitation of the elderly, felony fleeing to elude arrest, felony conspiracy, money laundering exceeding $100,000, identity theft, obtaining property by false pretenses, and several traffic-related offenses. He is currently being held at the Lenoir County Jail.
Police say the investigation remains active and additional arrests are expected.
