Buckeye Reporter

A former real estate podcaster, Matthew Motil, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of over $7.3 million. The scheme involved at least 63 victims across the United States.

Court documents reveal that from October 2017 to March 2022, Motil, a licensed real estate agent in Ohio, used his podcast and other marketing tools to present himself as an expert in real estate investment. He branded himself as the “Cash Flow King” and authored a book titled “Man on Fire” to enhance his credibility with potential investors.

Motil convinced investors to provide funds under the pretense of securing them with mortgages on properties in Northeast Ohio. However, he repeatedly used the same properties to obtain money from multiple victims, each believing they were the sole mortgage holder. As new investments came in, he used those funds to pay earlier investors.

“These victims were deceived and manipulated into handing over their hard-earned money to a shameless and selfish individual for his own benefit,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik for the Northern District of Ohio.

The investigation found that Motil also used investor funds for personal expenses such as leasing a large home on Lake Erie and securing courtside seats at Cleveland Cavaliers games.

“The 63 victims of this investment/Ponzi scheme are at the forefront of our work, and this conviction reflects our steadfast commitment to justice on their behalf,” said U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Blaine M. Forschen for the Cleveland Field Office.

Motil pleaded guilty to securities fraud and wire fraud on September 5, 2024. U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent imposed the sentence on July 18, 2025. In addition to imprisonment, Motil was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $5,085,247.08 in restitution.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service Money Laundering Task Force with assistance from several local agencies and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erica D. Barnhill for the Northern District of Ohio.