Criminal Complaint Filed Against Lee’s Summit, Missouri Man for Ponzi Scheme Defrauding Millions of Dollars from Investors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A criminal complaint has been filed against a Lee’s Summit, Mo. man, alleging he operated an ongoing investment scheme that defrauded millions of dollars from victims. Signed by United States Magistrate Judge W. Brian Gaddy, the complaint alleges that Trevor Uhls, 29, operated a Ponzi scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $2 million from at least 24 individual investors through false and misleading representations. Investor funds were allegedly misappropriated for Uhls’ personal benefit. This is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The complaint charges that on or about June 12, 2025, Uhls text messaged an Independence, Mo., investor claiming that the investor could earn 8.5% interest by pooling his money with others for a storage unit investment. The investor wired $15,000 to Uhls’ checking account. The complaint alleges Uhls used that investor’s money plus another $5,000 to purchase a Rolex FMT-Master II watch and a Rolex Jubilee bracelet from Meierotto Jewelers for a total amount of $20,155.35. According to the complaint, the storage unit investment Uhls offered the victim was part of a fraudulent scheme and that Uhls made false statements to solicit funds to further the scheme. A review of Uhls’ financial records found no evidence that he invested the victim’s money in storage units, according to the complaint. On July 20, 2026, United States District Judge Stephen R. Bough issued a temporary restraining order against Uhls, ordering him to, among other things, stop committing wire fraud; soliciting, receiving, or accepting any funds from investors; and contacting people that he had previously asked for money. A motion filed with the complaint seeking Uhls’ detention without bond alleges that Uhls continued to contact victims and confronted them about their cooperation with law enforcement. The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Under federal statutes, Uhls is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for wire fraud and up to 10 years in federal prison without parole for money laundering. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Ketchmark. It was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI). National Fraud Enforcement Division On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.