New York man impersonates crypto KOL to carry out $1.4 million fraud, sentenced to 15 months in prison

ChainCatcher News: A New York man was sentenced by a US court to 15 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for impersonating crypto influencers on Telegram and luring investors with fake staking returns. The 39-year-old Noman Saleem pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September 2025.

According to prosecutors, he created multiple fake Telegram accounts, pretended to be well-known crypto KOLs, and attracted thousands of people to join his channels. He also set up paid “VIP sub-channels.” Saleem told victims they could receive “guaranteed returns” through crypto staking or investment opportunities, inducing many to transfer crypto assets into wallets he controlled. However, prosecutors stated that he did not actually carry out any staking activities, but instead stopped communicating after receiving the funds and took the victims’ assets.

The case caused losses of over $1.4 million, and the US government has recovered and seized most of the funds.