Since 2018, Matthew Campbell has used at least $2.29 million in newly acquired investor funds to pay previous investors and maintain the scheme.
A Fresno, California-based real estate agent and investor has pleaded guilty to a $9 million wire fraud scheme involving two of his investment companies.
Since 2012, Matthew Campbell, 43, operated Preferred Property LLC and Ampez Rehab Investments LLC, buying and selling real estate, building and renovating real estate, and soliciting investors to finance projects. But in 2018, he began using these companies to run a Ponzi scheme, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday.
At that point, Campbell began misrepresenting the business’s finances and investment returns to attract new investors, and used the funds to pay profits to previous investors.
According to the Department of Justice, Campbell obtained $9.1 million from investors from early 2018 to October 2025 and used it in fraudulent ways. At least $2.29 million in new investor funds was used to pay previous investors and maintain the plan.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Aleris M. Clemente are prosecuting the case.
Sentencing for Mr. Campbell is scheduled for May 11, 2026. Sentencing is at the discretion of the court, but Mr. Campbell could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
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