Kalder

UC Berkeley / Pled guilty to securities fraud; investor and visa fraud allegations resolved through plea

Built a fintech-marketing rewards platform that pitched brand loyalty programs, Forbes 30 Under 30 momentum, and an April 2024 seed round. Federal prosecutors say she maintained two sets of books, inflated ARR to $1.2M, invented brand traction, forged a brand contract, and reused the same story for an O-1A visa . On May 15, 2026, she pled guilty to one count of securities fraud and agreed to forfeit nearly $7M. Sentencing is scheduled for September 17, 2026, making this a live sentencing-watch case rather than a mere indictment.