Trevor Uhls: Federal Complaint Alleges $2.1 Million Investment Fraud “Ponzi” Scheme

Federal prosecutors have filed a civil fraud complaint against Trevor Uhls, a Lee’s Summit, Missouri resident, alleging that he is running an investment fraud “Ponzi” scheme that has taken in more than $2.1 million from at least 24 investors. On July 16, 2026, the United States filed a Verified Complaint for Injunctive Relief in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri (Case No. 4:26-cv-614), asking the court to shut down what it describes as Uhls’s ongoing wire fraud under the federal Anti-Fraud Injunction Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1345.

This is not the first time Uhls has drawn scrutiny from regulators. As we previously reported, FINRA barred Uhls — a former MML Investors Services (MassMutual) representative — earlier in 2026 after he refused to cooperate with an investigation into potential unauthorized promissory note sales. The new federal complaint paints a far broader picture of the alleged misconduct and the money involved.

According to the complaint, Uhls has been operating his scheme since at least September 2024. He allegedly solicited money for fake short-term, “crowdfunded” real estate deals — pooled loans supposedly made to local development and construction companies that needed capital to buy land or renovate properties for resale. In exchange, investors received promissory notes purportedly signed by the borrowing companies, often sent by email through DocuSign.

The notes typically promised that investors could get their principal back after 30, 60, or 90 days, along with 10–15% interest — or that they could leave their money invested and collect monthly interest payments. When investors declined to withdraw, the complaint alleges, Uhls told them he would roll their principal into another “crowdfunded” deal.

The government alleges the deals were fiction. Among the specifics in the complaint:

• More than $2.1 million was collected from at least 24 individuals through wire transfers, cashier’s checks, personal checks, cash, and peer-to-peer (P2P) payments — with only a fraction ever returned to investors.
• Uhls allegedly had no known source of legitimate income, and a review of his accounts showed only deposits tied to suspected investor funds or money with no identifiable legitimate source.
• The borrower named on many notes was a small Kansas City general contracting business co-owned by a relative of Uhls by marriage. That business allegedly never borrowed money, never crowdfunded capital, and never received any investor funds — Uhls is alleged to have signed the notes in the company’s name without authorization.
• Uhls later allegedly switched to listing “Trevor Uhls LLC” and “Midwest Homes” as the borrowing entities. Trevor Uhls LLC lists his own apartment as its principal office, and no business registration was found for a matching “Midwest Homes.”
• Much of the recruiting allegedly happened by text message, including through a group chat called the “Inner Circle” made up largely of blue-collar workers, where Uhls promoted investment opportunities with his “uncle’s” company.

The complaint alleges that Uhls presented himself as a successful businessman living a lavish lifestyle to win investors’ trust — flying one investor on a private jet to Dallas, taking that investor and his son to an NCAA basketball game, and showing off a new Mercedes-Benz he claimed to have bought in cash. According to the complaint, the vehicle was actually leased.

A review of Uhls’s financial records, the government alleges, shows that most investor money did not go toward any real estate or business investment. Instead, it was allegedly spent on:

• More than $652,000 in sports betting between September 2024 and December 2025;
• More than $880,000 in credit card payments over the same period;
• Cryptocurrency exchange transactions and jewelry purchases; and
• More than $23,000 for chartered jet flights.

The complaint states that the financial records show no expenditures consistent with actual investments in private equity groups, local businesses, construction, or real estate development.

Because Uhls was a registered representative with MML Investors Services, investors who were solicited during that time may have claims against the brokerage firm that employed and was responsible for supervising him. Brokerage firms have a duty to supervise their representatives, and when unauthorized “selling away” or promissory-note schemes slip through, the firm may be held accountable through FINRA arbitration — often a faster and more effective path to recovery than waiting on a defendant’s remaining assets.

Carlson Law represents investors nationwide in claims to recover investment losses caused by fraud, misrepresentation, and inadequate supervision. If you invested with Trevor Uhls — or believe you may be affected by the conduct described in this complaint — we can help you understand your rights and your options for recovery. All consultations are free and confidential, and we handle investor cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we make a recovery for you.

Call us today or contact us online to speak with an experienced investment fraud attorney about your potential claim.