A Fresno man has been sentenced to several years in federal prison for operating a $9 million real estate Ponzi scheme.
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced that Matthew Campbell, 43, will spend 52 months behind bars for defrauding investors.
Driving the news: Campbell operated two real estate investment companies – Preferred Property LLC and Ampez Rehab Investments LLC – since 2012.
He used the companies to buy, sell, build and renovate properties and to solicit investments.
Starting in 2018, Campbell used his business to conduct a Ponzi scheme and used investment money to pay off earlier investors.
Campbell promised unrealistically high returns to obtain new investments.
From January 2018 to October 2025, Campbell received over $9.1 million from more than 40 investors. He used at least $2.29 million in new investments to pay off old investors.
Flashback: Campbell pleaded guilty on Feb. 9 to defrauding investors.
What they’re saying: “Mr. Campbell took advantage of the hard-earned savings of innocent people who were trying to secure their financial futures,” Grant said. “By masking a fraudulent Ponzi scheme as a legitimate real estate opportunity, he violated federal law and exploited the trust of dozens of investors. This sentence reflects our office’s unwavering commitment to seeking justice for the American People and holding accountable those who seek to do them harm.”
FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Brian Tosh added, “Today’s sentence ensures Matthew Campbell will pay a price for his crimes, but it cannot erase the breach of trust and financial devastation families and retirees who placed their confidence in Campbell suffered. Each investor believed Campbell’s claim that his legitimate real estate business could offer guaranteed returns, not knowing those promises were impossible to fulfill. The FBI is committed to investigating all allegations of financial fraud to both protect the public and ensure those who take advantage of the American people will face justice.”
What we’re watching: Campbell will return to court on Oct. 22 for a restitution hearing.