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New York resident Noman Saleem got 15 months in prison and three years supervised release after a $1.4 million crypto staking scam that targeted victims in
A New York resident was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for a wire‑fraud scheme that stole more than $1.4 million by promising guaranteed crypto staking returns, a case that underscores the ongoing risk of influencer‑impersonation scams on platforms like Telegram [1][5].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Sentence | 15 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release |
| Amount stolen | > $1.4 million (≈ $1.8 million in U.S. currency seized) |
| Plea date | September 30 2025 (guilty to wire fraud) |
| Judge | U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow |
Saleem, 39, created fake Telegram handles that mimicked well‑known crypto influencers, drawing thousands into a public channel and a paid “VIP sub‑channel” that charged $500‑$600 in crypto for alleged exclusive trading opportunities. He told victims that their deposits would be staked to earn rewards, but prosecutors say no staking ever occurred and the funds were transferred to wallets he controlled before he vanished [1][5]. The scheme targeted multiple investors, including at least one victim in Maryland, and generated over $1.4 million in crypto and roughly $1.8 million in U.S. dollars, most of which has been recovered [1][4].
Saleem pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September 2025 and was sentenced on June 23 2026 by Judge Chasanow. The case highlights how scammers exploit social‑media credibility and the promise of guaranteed returns, a pattern that has become more prevalent as Telegram now accounts for about 40 % of crypto‑related scams across messaging platforms in 2025 [1]. Industry data shows a sharp rise in crypto fraud, with an estimated $17 billion stolen globally in 2025 and impersonation schemes up more than 1,400 % year‑over‑year [1].
The sentencing sends a clear signal that federal prosecutors are intensifying focus on crypto‑related fraud, but the persistence of impersonation tactics suggests that investors must remain vigilant against sophisticated social‑media schemes.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 5 outlets · Jun 26, 2026 · How we report
Most scams involve imposters posing as law enforcement, government officials, or tech support, coercing victims to deposit cash via QR codes at crypto ATMs.
People over 60 are more than three times as likely to report losses, with an average loss of $10,000 per victim.
Three states have banned crypto ATMs, several others have imposed transaction caps, and a federal Crypto Fraud ATM Prevention Act is under Senate review.
Consumers reported $388 million in losses in 2025, a 58% increase over 2024.
Yes, a New York man was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for impersonating crypto influencers in a scheme targeting Maryland victims.