A fake crypto influencer from New York has been sent to prison: a lesson in trust in the Web3 era
A 39-year-old New York resident who impersonated well-known crypto influencers has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered three years of supervised release. This case is a stark example of how anonymity and trust within the crypto community can be used against users themselves.
The scheme operated from December 2020 to March 2021. Using fake Telegram accounts, the perpetrator copied the usernames of popular figures in the crypto industry. Thousands of people subscribed to his public channel, after which he created a paid VIP chat with a subscription fee of $500–600 in cryptocurrency. Victims were convinced they were communicating directly with a genuine expert.
The fraudster did not stop with one account. He launched a similar scheme under the guise of a second influencer, which allowed him to significantly expand his audience. Victims were offered staking with fixed returns for periods of 30 to 90 days, with promises of higher payouts for large deposits. However, the funds were never placed in real staking pools.
According to the investigation, victims transferred cryptocurrency to wallets controlled by the fraudster. After receiving the assets, he would cut off contact and disappear with the money. The total damage amounted to at least $1.4 million. Notably, the perpetrator returned most of this amount to the state as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow. The defendant pleaded guilty in September 2025. This case is part of a growing wave of fraud that exploits trust in well-known personalities on social media. It also demonstrates that authorities are actively pursuing scammers, even when they attempt to hide behind anonymous crypto wallets.
Expert opinion: This case is a harsh reminder that in the crypto industry, where anonymity is the norm, trust must be confirmed through verification. Investors should remember: if an offer sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam. Before investing, always verify the authenticity of accounts through official channels and do not trust private VIP chats without a reputation history.