Crypto scammer's sentence bumped to 12 years from 18 months for welshing on debt
11.07.2025
19207
Nicholas Truglia was initially sentenced to 18 months behind bars for carrying out SIM-swapping attacks against crypto investors.
Nicholas Truglia, a crypto scammer who thought 18 months was a vacation, just got a reality check: 12 years. Why? Dude didn’t pay back a cool $20M to Michael Terpin, a crypto bigwig he scammed in 2018. Judge wasn’t having it.
“At every turn, Mr. Truglia failed to pay restitution and actively evaded law enforcement and judicial efforts to enforce his restitution obligation. Despite evidence at the original sentencing that he owned assets worth $61,830,828.10, well above the imposed restitution obligations.”
Translation: He had the cash but played hide and seek. Now he’s got a decade-plus to think about that life choice.
Truglia’s original crime? SIM-swapping – the art of hijacking phone numbers to loot crypto wallets. In 2018, he and his crew targeted investors in SF, swiping millions. Terpin alone lost $24M and went full scorched earth, suing AT&T for negligence and Truglia for everything.
SIM-swapping 101: Hackers transfer your number to their SIM, intercept 2FA codes, and drain your crypto. It’s like digital pickpocketing but with higher stakes and worse consequences.
Terpin’s revenge? A $75M civil suit win in 2019. Now, Truglia’s got a new home courtesy of Uncle Sam. Moral of the story? Don’t scam crypto OGs. They’ll come for you – hard.
#SIM swap#hack#cybersecurity#crypto fraud#social engineering
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