A New York resident received 15 months in prison for impersonating crypto influencers and a staking scheme.
The crypto industry has once again faced a high-profile fraud case that highlights the vulnerability of trust in public figures. 39-year-old Noman Salim from Queens and Levittown, New York, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for creating an elaborate scheme in which he impersonated well-known crypto influencers. In addition to the prison term, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
How the Scheme Worked: From Impersonation to Theft
Salim began his scam in December 2020 by copying the username of a popular crypto influencer on Telegram. His public channel quickly attracted thousands of subscribers who believed they were communicating with the original. He then launched a paid VIP chat with a subscription fee of $500–600 in cryptocurrency, promising direct consultations and exclusive advice.
But he didn't stop there. By copying the username of a second influencer, Salim expanded his audience and offered fake staking investment contracts. He promised a fixed return for periods ranging from 30 to 90 days, with higher payouts for larger deposits. In reality, he did not invest the funds in staking—everything went into his wallets.
Financial Results and Justice
Victims, confident in the authenticity of the deals, transferred cryptocurrency to wallets controlled by Salim. As soon as the funds arrived, he cut off communication and disappeared. The investigation determined that the scheme generated at least $1.4 million in cryptocurrency and fiat dollars. As part of a plea deal, Salim returned most of this amount to the state. Judge Deborah C. Chasanow handed down the sentence, and Salim himself pleaded guilty in September 2025.
This case is a stark warning for all market participants. Scammers are increasingly exploiting trust in well-known figures and the anonymity of Telegram to create an illusion of legitimacy. U.S. authorities continue to actively pursue such schemes, proving that crypto wallets are not a guarantee of impunity.
Expert commentary from Cryptalist: This case is a clear example of how a lack of verification and blind faith in "big names" lead to capital loss. Investors need to remember: if an offer sounds too good to be true, it is almost always a scam. Always check the official channels of influencers and never transfer funds to unfamiliar wallets, especially in exchange for promises of guaranteed returns.