Two Kentucky men, Million-Dollar Investment Scheme, Kentucky, 2023

Rockford, IL – Two Kentucky men are facing federal wire fraud charges after allegedly bilking investors and customers out of millions of dollars, according to an indictment unsealed this week. Mark Carroll and Luke Curry are accused of running a sophisticated scheme built on false promises and shell companies, leaving a trail of broken financial trust across the country.

The feds allege Carroll and Curry operated through a network of limited liability companies, including Catapult Marketing, LLC, and Catapult Funding LLC. These entities were allegedly used to lure victims with the promise of easy credit lines – lines that were *never* actually funded. They also pushed private loan agreements, guaranteeing returns that were, predictably, never delivered. This wasn’t a mistake; it was a calculated effort to enrich themselves at the expense of others.

The indictment details how the pair took upfront deposits for the promised lines of credit, pocketing the money instead of extending the loans. Beyond that, they actively solicited investors with the guarantee of repayment and attractive interest rates on private loans, knowing full well they had no intention of honoring those agreements. The scheme reportedly spanned multiple states, with victims located throughout the U.S., including a significant number in Illinois.

Both men were arrested last week in Kentucky and are now facing six counts of wire fraud. If convicted on all counts, each could face up to 20 years in federal prison. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa A. Jensen has scheduled arraignments for Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in Rockford, where the case is being prosecuted. Don’t expect a plea bargain; these guys are looking at serious time.

Federal prosecutors are now urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this scheme to come forward. The FBI is actively assisting in the investigation, seeking to identify the full scope of the fraud and locate additional victims. They’re looking for anyone who invested with Catapult Marketing, Catapult Funding, or was promised a line of credit that never materialized. The feds need names, dates, amounts – everything.

This isn’t just about two guys going to jail. It’s about holding accountable those who prey on people’s financial hopes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois is sending a clear message: financial fraud will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted. Those with information are encouraged to contact the FBI at [phone number redacted] or submit details via email at [email address redacted]. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service also assisted in the investigation.

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