The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against Matthew Motil, the host of the popular podcast “The Cash Flow King,” for allegedly orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 50 investors of approximately $11 million.
Motil, a resident of North Olmsted, Ohio, is accused of enticing investors with the promise of high returns on promissory notes supposedly backed by residential properties across Ohio.
According to the SEC’s complaint, Motil actively promoted his investment scheme on his podcast and website, using slogans like “be a real estate investing badass!” to attract potential investors. He presented these investments as low-risk opportunities, assuring his audience that they were secured by a “first lien position” on real estate assets, thereby promising a sense of security to his investors.
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However, the SEC alleges that Motil’s actions were fraudulent. Instead of securing first lien positions for his investors, he reportedly sold multiple promissory notes backed by the same property to numerous individuals. In one particularly egregious example, he is accused of selling more than $1 million in promissory notes to 20 investors, all supposedly collateralized by a property he acquired for a mere $47,000.
The complaint further claims that Motil misappropriated investor funds for his personal use, diverting money to make payments to earlier investors in classic Ponzi scheme fashion. He also indulged in extravagant personal expenses, including renting a lakeside mansion, purchasing courtside season tickets for NBA games, and covering $400,000 in credit card payments for his wife, Amy Motil, who has been named as a relief defendant in the case.
Mark Cave, Associate Director of the Division of Enforcement at the SEC, commented on the case, saying, “We allege that Motil used podcasts and social media platforms to bolster his reputation as an investing expert while fraudulently targeting investors’ hard-earned retirement assets, including, in at least one instance, almost the full balance of an investor’s self-directed IRA. We are committed to holding those who prey on others accountable for their unlawful conduct.”
The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, charges Motil with multiple violations, including those related to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest, civil money penalties, and an officer and director bar to prevent Motil from holding similar positions in the future.
Investors who believe they may have been affected by this alleged Ponzi scheme are encouraged to contact the SEC to provide information and seek potential restitution.
Information for this briefing was found via SEC and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
