Fake crypto influencers on Telegram: verdict delivered, scheme exposed
A U.S. federal court sentenced 39-year-old Noman Salim from Queens and Levittown to 15 months in prison. The reason: a series of frauds in which he impersonated well-known crypto influencers and defrauded trusting investors through fake staking schemes on Telegram.
How the Scheme Worked: Copying and Subscriptions
In late 2020, Salim started with a simple but effective tactic: he copied the username of a popular crypto influencer on Telegram. Thousands of users subscribed to his public channel, believing they were interacting with the real celebrity. He then created a paid VIP chat with a subscription fee ranging from $500 to $600 in cryptocurrency. Participants could message him directly, fully confident in the authenticity of the contact.
But Salim went further. He copied the username of a second influencer and launched a similar system. This allowed him to significantly expand his audience. Victims were offered staking with a fixed income for periods ranging from 30 to 90 days. Higher payouts were promised for large deposits. However, no actual staking existed — all funds ended up in the scammer's wallets.
Money and Verdict: $1.4 Million in Losses
Victims transferred cryptocurrency to wallets controlled by Salim. After receiving the assets, he cut off communication and disappeared with the money. The scheme operated from at least December 2020 to March 2021.
"Salim built an investment scheme by impersonating popular internet influencers from the crypto industry. He convinced victims to transfer assets to virtual wallets under his control," stated a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The total damage from Salim's activities amounted to at least $1.4 million in cryptocurrencies and U.S. dollars. As part of a plea agreement, he returned most of this amount to the state. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow. Salim pleaded guilty in September 2025. Upon release, he was ordered to serve three years of supervised release.
This case is a stark example of the growing wave of fraud exploiting trust in well-known personalities on social media. It also demonstrates that authorities are actively pursuing criminals hiding behind anonymous crypto wallets.
Analyst's Opinion: This case is a warning signal for the entire crypto community. The "copy-paste" username scheme and creation of paid VIP chats are classic social engineering tactics that, unfortunately, continue to work. Investors should remember: if you are offered a "guaranteed income" in the name of a public figure in a closed Telegram channel, there is a 99.9% chance it is a scam. Always verify the authenticity of contacts through official websites and verified accounts.