Noman Saleem, 39, of Queens and Levittown, New York, was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for a wire fraud scheme impersonating well-known crypto influencers. From December 2020, Saleem created fake Telegram accounts mimicking popular influencers, attracting thousands of followers to a public channel. He charged victims $500–$600 in crypto for access to a private 'VIP' channel where they believed they were communicating with the real influencer. There, he promised guaranteed returns of 30–90 day staking rewards, with higher investments yielding more profits. However, he never staked any funds. The scheme netted at least $1.4 million in crypto and cash from victims, including one in Maryland. After pleading guilty in September 2025, the government recovered most of the stolen assets. The FBI's Baltimore field office investigated the case, highlighting ongoing U.S. efforts to prosecute fraudsters exploiting crypto jargon and trust in known figures.

Key facts

• Sentenced to 15 months in prison for wire fraud impersonating crypto influencers.
• Created fake Telegram accounts, charging $500–$600 for 'VIP' access.
• Promised guaranteed staking returns but never staked any funds.
• Stole at least $1.4 million in crypto and cash from victims.
• Government recovered most of the stolen assets after guilty plea.