Noman Saleem, a 38-year-old resident of Queens and Levittown, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud charges related to a cryptocurrency investment scam. The case was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, along with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office.
According to Saleem’s plea agreement, from December 2020 through at least March 2021, he impersonated well-known online crypto influencers on Telegram to convince victims—including one in Maryland—to send cryptocurrency to wallets he controlled. Saleem promoted fake crypto staking and investment opportunities that promised guaranteed returns. After receiving funds from investors, he stopped communicating with them and kept their cryptocurrency.
Saleem used Telegram as his primary platform for the scheme. He created public channels using handles associated with popular crypto influencers and offered access to VIP subchannels for subscription fees between $500 and $600 worth of cryptocurrency. Members believed they were interacting directly with prominent figures in the crypto community because they could message Saleem directly through these channels.
He advertised staking rewards on his Telegram channels with terms ranging from 30 to 90 days and claimed that larger investments would yield higher returns. However, according to authorities, no actual staking took place.
The investigation found that Saleem obtained at least $1,798,529 in U.S. currency through this scheme. Law enforcement has recovered much of these losses by seizing assets identified in the plea agreement.
Saleem faces up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for March 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., though actual sentences are often less than the statutory maximum as determined by a federal judge after reviewing sentencing guidelines and other factors.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI’s investigative efforts and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean R. Delaney and Evelyn L. Cusson for prosecuting the case, as well as Paralegal Specialist Shelbe Mascaro for her assistance.
More information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found at justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
