A New York resident received 15 months in prison for impersonating crypto influencers: a Telegram staking scheme
A U.S. federal court has sentenced 39-year-old Noman Salim of Queens and Levittown to 15 months in prison. The fraudster admitted to creating a sophisticated investment scheme in which he impersonated well-known cryptocurrency influencers to defraud victims of over $1.4 million in cryptocurrency and fiat currency. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release after serving his term.
How the Scheme Worked: From Fake Accounts to Fake Staking
Salim launched his scam in December 2020, and it continued at least until March 2021. His approach was systematic and calculated. First, he copied the username of a popular crypto influencer on Telegram, creating a public channel that thousands of users subscribed to. He then organized a paid VIP chat with a subscription fee ranging from $500 to $600 in cryptocurrency. Participants were convinced they were communicating directly with the real expert.
In the next phase, Salim copied the username of a second crypto influencer, launching a similar subscription system. This allowed him to significantly expand his audience. Victims were offered staking with fixed returns for periods ranging from 30 to 90 days. The fraudster promised higher payouts for large deposits. However, in reality, he did not stake the funds—all promises were fictitious.
Financial Damage and Justice
Victims transferred cryptocurrency to wallets controlled by Salim. Once he received the assets, he cut off communication and disappeared with the money. As noted in a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Salim "built an investment scheme by impersonating popular internet influencers from the crypto industry" and convinced victims to transfer assets to virtual wallets under his control.
According to the investigation, the scheme generated at least $1.4 million. Salim returned most of this amount to the state as part of a plea agreement. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow. Salim pleaded guilty in September 2025.
This case is part of a growing wave of frauds exploiting trust in well-known personalities on social media. The case also shows that authorities continue to actively pursue fraudsters hiding behind anonymous crypto wallets.
My analysis: This sentence is an important signal for the market. It demonstrates that law enforcement agencies have learned to effectively track crypto transactions, even when perpetrators use anonymous Telegram channels. For investors, this is a reminder: promises of guaranteed returns from "influencers" in private chats are almost always a red flag. Always verify the authenticity of accounts through official verified sources before entrusting your funds to strangers.