Matthew Cox | |
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| Born | Matthew Bevan Cox July 2, 1969 Florida, U.S. |
| Other names | Matthew B. Cox, Matt Cox |
| Occupation | Mortgage broker. author |
| Criminal status | Released from Federal Correctional Complex, RRM Orlando; Federal Bureau of Prisons register #40171-018; July 19, 2019 |
| Conviction(s) | April 10, 2007 (pleaded guilty) |
| Criminal charge | Bank fraud, identity theft, passport fraud, conspiracy to commit mortgage fraud, probation violation |
| Penalty | 26 years in prison, reduced to 15 years (served 12.5 years), $6 million restitution |
Matthew Bevan "Matt" Cox (born July 2, 1969) is an American former mortgage broker and admitted mortgage fraudster and con man. Cox, also a true crime author, wrote an unpublished manuscript entitled The Associates in which the main character traveled the country to perpetrate a mortgage fraud scheme similar to the one Cox ran.
Cox falsified documents to make it appear that he owned properties, and then fraudulently obtained several mortgages on them for five to six times their actual worth. He acquired millions of dollars this way; estimates report the amount at between US$15 million and $55 million. Cox's first conviction occurred in 2002 when he was sentenced to probation for mortgage fraud. He then sold the mortgage company he owned in a Tampa, Florida area firm. He began his life as a dedicated criminal in central Florida after that offense, before fleeing the area when his activities were discovered. His crime spree continued across the southern and southwestern United States, eventually landing him on the United States Secret Service's Most Wanted list. He was aided by several female accomplices, some of whom are in prison or have served time there for their participation in his fraudulent mortgage practices. Cox was arrested on November 16, 2006. Indicted on 42 counts, and facing prison sentences of up to 125 years, he plea bargained his sentence down to a maximum of 54 years on April 11, 2007, and was sentenced to 26 years on November 17, 2007. He was released from prison in July 2019.
Cox is currently a full time true crime author, podcaster, a keynote speaker. He lives and works in central Florida.
His story is well chronicled and has been featured on Dateline NBC, CNBC's American Greed, in Fortune magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, Playboy magazine, and other media outlets.