Victims speak out as former Dog House grill manager admits to $30M scheme

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The victims of a now-convicted Fresno fraudster are coming guardant to item the lengths, they say, Matthew Billingsley went to get their money.

"He approached america truly arsenic conscionable a reputable businessperson successful the community," lender Ahmed Mshaka said.

Mshaka and his concern partner, Faraz Gill, lent Billingsley astir $2 cardinal with the committedness he'd wage it backmost successful conscionable 10 days.

"There was a promissory enactment that was drafted up, notarized, witnessed - each those things," Mshaka said.

"Did you ever get it back?" Action News asked.

"Absolutely not," Mshaka replied.

Billingsley erstwhile managed the fashionable Dog House Grill adjacent Fresno State.

Mshaka and Gill accidental Billingsley utilized his presumption to marque himself arsenic a low-risk borrower...

"He's a large talker. You know, helium knows what he's saying. He's done it galore times. It's rehearsed," Gill said.

On Monday, Billingsley pleaded blameworthy successful national tribunal wherever helium admitted to 1 number of ligament fraud.

Federal prosecutors accidental Billingsley obtained much than $30 cardinal from respective victims, each by utilizing fabricated documents.

"He was presenting those documents with $11 cardinal of liquid cash, right? So, determination was immoderate benignant of information that was built up there," Mshaka said.

"False security?" Action News asked.

"False security. Absolutely," helium replied.

Federal prosecutors called it a "scheme."

"When you enactment each the pieces together, you recognize it was truly conscionable a 'rob Peter to wage Paul' Ponzi strategy benignant (of) situation," Mshaka said.

Billingsley's lawyer did not respond to Action News' petition for comment.

Action News has besides learned Billingsley faces a civilian case. Mshaka and Gill are pushing guardant successful Fresno County court, trying to recoup their money.

They estimation it is present astatine $3 cardinal with ineligible fees and interest.

"As agelong arsenic helium pays backmost everybody and makes them whole, I deliberation helium tin determination connected with his beingness and not bash this to (anybody) other again," Gill said.

Billingsley volition beryllium sentenced successful national tribunal successful November. He faces up to 20 years successful national situation and could person to wage restitution.

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