Linqto Founder Arrested In Massive $450 Million Fraud Scheme

Federal prosecutors have arrested William Sarris, the 75 year old founder of Linqto, on charges including securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. According to the indictment, Sarris allegedly deceived more than 13,000 customers by manipulating private stock prices and collecting massive markups between 2020 and 2025. Prosecutors state that Sarris took advantage of the difficulty customers faced in checking the true market value of private company shares. He allegedly manufactured artificial scarcity and altered pricing models to drive revenue while assuring buyers they were paying fair market rates.

The scheme reportedly brought in over $450 million before Linqto filed for bankruptcy in mid 2025. Investigators claim the inflated growth was used to make the company look more successful so Sarris could increase the value of his own ownership stake. When financial pressure mounted in January 2025, Sarris allegedly sold shares allocated to customer holdings to meet revenue targets without telling the owners.

Sarris now faces multiple felony counts, with each major fraud charge carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. This case highlights the hidden risks in private investment platforms, reminding traders to carefully verify how asset values are calculated outside public exchanges. We will keep following this story as it moves through the federal court system.