Columbus influencer pleads guilty to running $23 million Ponzi scheme

A Columbus influencer who doubled as a Ponzi scheme orchestrator pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aiding in a false tax filing on June 13.

According to federal prosecutors, Tyler Bossetti, 31, ran a Ponzi scheme that he described as a real estate investment program. It netted more than $23 million from dozens of investors, and victims lost more than $11 million.

He used the funds to travel the world, purchase a $150,000 Mercedes SUV and make rental payments on his Downtown Columbus condo.

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Bossetti claimed the investments yielded returns as much as 30 percent, and advertised the program on his social media and YoutTube channels.

The Columbus-based influencer operated accounts on multiple social media platforms, including an Instagram account dedicated to finance with more than 900,000 followers. That account is now private.

He is facing a maximum of 23 years in federal prison if sentenced consecutively, although he has not yet been sentenced.

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