A fake crypto influencer from New York received 15 months in prison: a lesson in online trust
A 39-year-old New York resident, Noman Salim from Queens and Levittown, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for a large-scale fraudulent scheme built on impersonating well-known crypto influencers. The judge also imposed three years of supervised release after his imprisonment. This story is a stark example of how anonymity and trust in public figures can become weapons in the hands of malicious actors.
The scheme operated from December 2020 to March 2021. Salim created fake Telegram channels, copying the usernames of popular crypto influencers. Thousands of users subscribed to these channels, believing they were communicating with real experts.
How the Trap Worked
Salim did not limit himself to one fake account. He launched a paid VIP chat with a subscription fee of $500–600 in cryptocurrency, where the "influencer" supposedly gave exclusive advice. He then copied the username of a second well-known trader and repeated the same scheme. Inside these chats, he offered staking with fixed returns for periods ranging from 30 to 90 days, promising higher payouts for large deposits. In reality, there was no staking—the funds simply went to wallets controlled by the scammer.
After receiving the cryptocurrency, Salim cut off communication and disappeared with the money. According to the investigation, the scheme netted him at least $1.4 million in cryptocurrency and US dollars.
Justice and Asset Recovery
U.S. District Judge Deborah C. Chasanow handed down the sentence. Salim returned most of the stolen amount to the government as part of a plea deal. He pleaded guilty in September 2025.
This case is part of a growing wave of frauds exploiting trust in well-known figures on social media. It also demonstrates that authorities continue to actively pursue criminals, even those hiding behind anonymous crypto wallets.
Analyst's opinion: This story is a harsh reminder that even in the decentralized world of cryptocurrencies, trust must be earned, not blind. Always verify the authenticity of accounts through official verified channels and remember: promises of guaranteed returns are almost always a red flag.