Wednesday, August 5, 2026

NFT Startup Founder Charged With Fraud

 

Taj Tarsha Allegedly Stole Millions from Investors to Fund His Gambling and Lifestyle

Sean S. Buckley, Deputy United States Attorney, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced that TAJ TARSHA, the founder of Few and Far Limited (“Few and Far”), has been indicted for securities and wire fraud for defrauding investors of the crypto startup he founded by making false and misleading statements regarding the use of investor funds and subsequently misappropriating those funds.  TARSHA was previously arrested on June 6, 2026.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. 

 

“As alleged, Taj Tarsha raised millions of dollars from investors by promising that their investments would be used to build a marketplace for non-fungible tokens, but he instead breached their trust by stealing those funds for his own personal benefit,” said Deputy United States Attorney Sean S. Buckley.  “Investors are entitled to the truth when choosing to make an investment, and this Office and our law enforcement partners will hold business leaders responsible when they lie for their own gain.” 

“Taj Tarsha is alleged to have concealed fraudulent conduct behind his crypto startup, using investor funds for personal benefit,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr.  “Protecting the integrity of our financial markets is a priority, and the FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to conducting thorough and fact-driven investigations into potential financial offenses.”

According to the Indictment:(1)

TARSHA was the founder and sole equity owner of Few and Far, a startup that claimed to be developing a decentralized marketplace for non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”).  Beginning in February 2022, TARSHA solicited investments in Few and Far through Simple Agreement for Future Tokens (SAFTs), under which investors paid upfront for rights to receive FAR tokens—a proprietary token meant to be integrated into the marketplace—at a later date.  The offering materials promised investors that their funds would be used to advance the development of the Few and Far marketplace and the FAR tokens.  Through these sales, TARSHA raised over $10 million from the sale of 95 million FAR tokens to at least 67 investors.

Almost immediately, however, TARSHA began misappropriating investor funds for his personal use, including gambling at an online casino and purchasing speculative cryptocurrencies.  TARSHA also siphoned nearly a million dollars of investor funds under the pretext of legitimate compensation in the form of two bonuses—which he deliberately hid from investors and a co-founder—and a high salary that he acknowledged was unreasonable in light of Few and Far’s lack of product and “zero revenue.”

In June 2023, an audit uncovered the misappropriation.  TARSHA falsely told investors that the bonuses were tied to predetermined FAR token presales targets and all transactions were done for the benefit of Few and Far, and he claimed all investor funds were still needed to complete the company’s mission.  In reality, he had fired nearly all staff and instructed the remaining contractor to do work that merely created the appearance of continued development of the marketplace.  For at least another year, he used investor funds for personal expenses, including cryptocurrency purchases, a Miami condominium loan and interior design services, and his DJ hobby.  When he finally launched the FAR token in May 2024, it was effectively worthless and soon ceased trading. 

TARSHA, 34, of Miami, Florida, is charged with securities fraud and wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Buckley praised the outstanding work of the FBI.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact descried therein should be treated as an allegation. 

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