NFT Marketplace Founder Indicted for $10 Million Fraud

The founder of a non-fungible token marketplace has been indicted on federal fraud charges, accused of misappropriating more than $10 million raised from investors for personal use. Taj Tarsha, the 34-year-old founder of Few and Far Ltd., was charged with one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on August 5, 2026.

According to the indictment, Tarsha began raising funds in February 2022 by selling rights to 95 million FAR tokens through Simple Agreements for Future Tokens (SAFTs) to at least 67 investors. He allegedly told investors the capital would be used to develop a decentralized marketplace for NFTs. Prosecutors contend that instead of funding development, Tarsha diverted the money almost immediately for personal expenses, including online gambling, speculative cryptocurrency trades, a Miami condominium loan, interior design services, and funding a DJ hobby. The indictment also alleges he paid himself nearly $1 million in undisclosed bonuses and an inflated salary.

An internal audit in mid-2023 reportedly uncovered financial irregularities, but prosecutors say Tarsha concealed the findings....