Key facts
- A Tennessee man, Misam M. Abidi, has been indicted on 11 federal counts related to an alleged cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme.
- The scheme, operated through Star Credit Holdings between 2020 and 2024, allegedly defrauded investors of millions.
- Abidi is accused of paying early investors with funds from new investors and diverting over $1.9 million for personal use.
- Charges include wire fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns.
- Abidi faces potential decades in federal prison if convicted.
A Tennessee man, Misam M. Abidi, has been indicted on 11 federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme through his firm, Star Credit Holdings, from 2020 to 2024. Prosecutors claim Abidi lured investors with false promises of guaranteed high returns and a substantial reserve fund, while in reality, he paid earlier investors with funds from newer ones. The indictment also alleges that Abidi diverted over $1.9 million of investor money to himself and his family. Additionally, he is accused of falsifying documents to secure personal loans for investors to funnel into the firm and failing to report income on his tax returns. The charges include wire fraud, operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, and money laundering. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant stated that such schemes are devastating to investors and detrimental to the U.S. Treasury. If convicted on all counts, Abidi could face decades in federal prison.