MONROE, N.C. -- Church members in Monroe are crying foul, saying they were cheated and their money stolen.

Man accused of stealing from church

A Charlotte man is accused of preying on the faithful in an alleged securities scheme.

The church members' accusations are catching the attention of the Secretary of State's office.

Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe is filled by 700 members every Sunday. Back in 2005, the church trusted MBG Global and its owner Cauzae McCall with $200,000.

McCall claimed to be a minister and a former stockbroker.

He allegedly said he historically made returns of 36 to 40 percent in the market, and guaranteed the church a return of 18 percent plus their principal.

Now, the church's confidence in Cauzae McCall has been shattered; church leaders blew the whistle on him, alleging fraud.

"We’re hopeful that this person who is evil and vile will be brought to justice,” said Pastor Osco Gardin Jr.

Court records show the church only received one interest payment of $3,750, and they have received nothing else from this investment including the return of their principal.

Agents with the Secretary of State's office say that McCall is under investigation in Connecticut and North Carolina for securities fraud. They estimate he has raised slightly more than $1.1 million from investors, which equals the value of his Providence Plantation home.

On Friday, agents searched the property looking for computer records and other business records.

"We can forgive him, but there are consequences for actions,” the pastor said.

Agents say that McCall is not licensed to sell securities in North Carolina. One of the reasons church members trusted him is because the last time the Baptists had a convention in Charlotte, he was part of the National Baptist Sunday School Congress.

Now Pastor Gardin calls him a fake preacher and says his church blew the whistle to prevent other churches from falling for the same line.