Navy Vet Scams Shipmates, Gambles Away $355K!

SEC v. Robert L. Murray, Jr. — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Litigation Release No. 26550, dated May 5, 2026.

The SEC charged Robert L. Murray, Jr., a former U.S. Navy chief petty officer, for an investment fraud scheme that targeted Navy service members and veterans. Murray allegedly raised nearly $355,000 from about 44 investors by promising to invest their money in a private fund called Deep Dive Strategies, LLC. Instead, he misappropriated almost 42% of the funds for personal expenses, including gambling.

In Plain English

Imagine someone promising to be your personal money manager, saying they'll invest your savings to make more money. But instead of investing it, they take a big chunk of it for themselves, like for gambling or buying things. That's what happened here: a former Navy member promised to invest money for other Navy members and veterans, but he spent a lot of it himself.

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. Targeting Navy Personnel From September 2020 through January 2022, Robert L. Murray, Jr., a former U.S. Navy chief petty officer, allegedly used a Facebook group for active duty, reservists, and veterans of the U.S. Navy to find potential investors.
  2. Promising Investment Returns Murray acted as an unregistered investment adviser to a private pooled investment fund he controlled, Deep Dive Strategies, LLC. He told investors that the fund would invest their money in publicly traded securities.
  3. Raising Funds Through the offer and sale of unregistered securities in the form of Deep Dive Strategies membership interests, Murray raised nearly $355,000 from approximately 44 investors located in 14 different states.
  4. Misappropriating Investor Funds Instead of investing the funds as promised, Murray allegedly misappropriated nearly 42% of the investors' money for his personal expenses, including for gambling.

The Enforcement Action

On May 4, 2026, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois entered a final judgment as to Robert L. Murray, Jr. The final judgment permanently enjoins Murray from violating securities laws and orders him to pay disgorgement of $112,271.71, which is deemed satisfied by the order of restitution entered in a parallel criminal matter.

Named in this action: Robert L. Murray, Jr..