Matthew Bevan Cox (born July 2, 1969), also sometimes known as Matthew B. Cox and Matt Cox, is an American felon and con man who has been convicted of conspiracy and grand theft. Cox, also an aspiring author, wrote an unpublished manuscript entitled The Associates. In the manuscript a character, which was most likely based upon himself, travelled the country committing mortgage fraud. Cox later committed crimes in almost exactly the same manner as the character in the novel had. Cox was able to falsify documents to make it appear as though he owned properties which he did not, and then was able to fraudulently obtain several mortgages on the properties for 5–6 times their actual worth. Throughout his criminal career Cox is estimated to have acquired several million dollars in this manner. He also enlisted the help of several female accomplices, some of whom are now in prison or have served time in prison. Cox was apprehended by authorities on November 16, 2006. Indicted on 42 counts, with prison sentences of potentially 400 years if convicted, Cox plea bargained his sentence down to a maximum of 54 years on April 11, 2007.