U.S. Extradites Colorado Man to Face Futures-Related Ponzi Scheme Charges

U.S. federal prosecutors have confirmed that Matthew Melton, a Colorado resident, has been extradited from the United Kingdom to face securities fraud and wire fraud charges in connection with an alleged investment scheme involving futures trading.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Melton is accused of raising millions of dollars by promoting an investment fund known as "Price Physics," which he claimed used a proprietary algorithm to trade futures contracts. Prosecutors allege that no such algorithm existed and that investor funds were largely not used for trading.

Instead, authorities say Melton operated a Ponzi-style scheme, using new investor capital to make payments to earlier investors and to fund personal expenditures, including housing costs and leisure activities. The indictment alleges that when trades did occur, they were generally unprofitable and did not involve futures contracts as represented.

Melton arrived in the United States on December 19, 2025, and appeared before a federal magistrate judge the following day. He has been charged with one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud, each carrying a potential maximum sentence of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the case reflects continued enforcement efforts against investment fraud, while the FBI noted the financial harm caused to victims. The charges remain allegations, and Melton is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.