Elderly Investors LOSE MILLIONS to Property Scam! Nearly TWO-THIRDS STOLEN!

SEC v. Marshall E. Melton, Integrated Consulting & Management, LLC — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Litigation Release No. 26438, dated December 12, 2025.

The SEC charged Marshall E. Melton and his company, Integrated Consulting & Management, LLC, for defrauding investors in a real estate scheme. Melton promised investors returns from buying and renovating properties but instead misappropriated nearly two-thirds of the funds for personal use. A final judgment ordered the defendants to pay over $1.2 million in disgorgement and interest, and Melton to pay a significant civil penalty.

In Plain English

Imagine someone promised to use your money to fix up old houses and then rent them out, making you a profit. But instead, they took most of the money for themselves and never paid you back. That's what happened here. The SEC stepped in to get justice for the investors.

Disclaimer: all facts are drawn from the SEC's own filings; the claims described are allegations unless and until a court rules or the parties settle, and some cases end in dismissal.

How the Alleged Scheme Worked

  1. The Promise Marshall E. Melton and his company, Integrated Consulting & Management, LLC, told investors they would use their money to buy and renovate properties in downtown Laurinburg, North Carolina.
  2. Investor Pitch Melton represented that these renovated properties would generate rental income and resale proceeds, providing returns for the investors.
  3. Raising Funds From May 2023 onwards, the defendants raised between approximately $1.03 million and $1.49 million from seven investors.
  4. Targeting Seniors Six of the seven investors were elderly, with an average age of 75 when they first invested in the scheme.
  5. Misappropriation of Funds Instead of investing in properties, Melton misappropriated nearly two-thirds of the investor funds for his own personal use.
  6. Failure to Deliver Returns The defendants never paid investors their promised returns, nor did they return the principal amounts invested.

The Enforcement Action

On October 2, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained final judgment against Marshall E. Melton and Integrated Consulting & Management, LLC, for charges related to a fraudulent securities offering. The SEC’s complaint, filed on May 30, 2023, alleged that the defendants raised between $1.03 and $1.49 million from seven investors, six of whom were elderly. Melton allegedly misrepresented his use of funds, misappropriating nearly two-thirds for personal use. On April 17, 2025, the Court awarded summary judgment in favor of the SEC. The final judgment permanently enjoins the defendants from violating securities laws, bars Melton from participating in most securities offerings, and orders disgorgement of $916,341 plus $312,460.84 in pre-judgment interest, and a $472,902 civil penalty against Melton.

Named in this action: Marshall E. Melton, Integrated Consulting & Management, LLC.