Money photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Matthew Campbell, 43, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday to 52 months in federal prison for defrauding investors in a $9 million real estate Ponzi scheme, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Campbell operated two real estate investment companies, Preferred Property LLC and Ampez Rehab Investments LLC, starting in 2012. The companies bought, sold and built renovated properties while also soliciting money from investors. 

Beginning in 2018, Campbell used the businesses to operate a Ponzi scheme, making false claims about company finances, investment returns and distributions to attract new investors. He used money from new investors to pay previous investors and continue the scheme. 

Between January 2018 and October 2025, Campbell obtained more than $9.1 million from more than 40 investors and used the funds for unauthorized purposes. 

At least $2.3 million went to pay investors.

“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,” says FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Brian Tosh. “Each investor believed Campbell’s claim that his legitimate real estate business could offer guaranteed returns, not knowing those promises were impossible to fulfill.”

Campbell pleaded guilty to wire fraud Feb. 9 before U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston.

A restitution hearing is currently scheduled for Oct. 22. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Arelis M. Clemente.