A California real estate investor pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a $9 million fraud scheme.
According to court documents, Matthew Campbell of Fresno operated two real estate investment companies, Preferred Property LLC and Ampez Rehab Investments LLC, since 2012. In his work, Campbell bought and sold real estate, built and renovated properties, and solicited investor money to fund operations.
Starting in 2018, Campbell began using his businesses to conduct a Ponzi scheme. He knowingly made false representations about his company’s finances, the return on investment, and distributions to attract new investors, and then he used the funds to pay returns to earlier investors.
Between January 2018 and October 2025, Campbell generated over $9.1 million in investor funds that he used in unauthorized ways. At least $2.29 million in new investor funds went to pay old investors and continue the scheme.
Campbell is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11 and faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
