Developer testifies 'Crypto King' took $4.5M in investments but spent it on luxury, not trades
At Aiden Pleterski's fraud trial, real estate developer Sacha Singh revealed he invested over $4.5 million across 23 contracts and received only $700,000 back when he tried to withdraw funds.
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A real estate developer testified Wednesday at Aiden Pleterski's fraud trial that he invested more than $4.5 million with the self-described "Crypto King"—more than any of the other 11 Crown witness investors who testified so far.
Sacha Singh told Ontario Superior Court of Justice that he first met Pleterski at a restaurant in Pickering in spring 2021 and signed 23 investment contracts over 10 months, ranging from $10,000 to $1.3 million. Singh kept a spreadsheet tracking weekly gains between 3 and nearly 11 per cent. By March 2022, his calculations showed the investment had grown to more than $26 million.
He never received those returns. When Singh asked to withdraw $1 million in November 2021, he received only $700,000—and $300,000 of that went to Pleterski as a trading fee.
Pleterski, 27, is representing himself and has pleaded not guilty to fraud over $5,000 and money laundering. Crown prosecutors allege he guaranteed investor returns for cryptocurrency and foreign exchange trading but never actually invested the funds, instead spending the money on exotic cars, private jet flights, and lavish shopping running into millions.
The 10 other Crown witness investors combined testified they gave Pleterski roughly $2.3 million, and most received no money back. The trial began October 6 and is expected to run about a month.
Why did Singh continue investing for seven months after initially putting in $10,000 without seeing any actual returns?
What red flags, if any, did the investment contracts themselves contain that Singh did not catch?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How much did Sacha Singh invest with Aiden Pleterski?
Sacha Singh invested more than $4.5 million across 23 investment contracts signed over 10 months, with individual amounts ranging from $10,000 to $1.3 million.
How much money did Singh receive when he tried to withdraw funds?
When Singh requested a $1 million withdrawal in November 2021, he received only $700,000, of which $300,000 went to Pleterski as a trading fee.
What are the charges against Aiden Pleterski?
Pleterski, 27, has pleaded not guilty to fraud over $5,000 and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he promised investor returns for cryptocurrency and foreign exchange trading but instead spent the money on luxury items including exotic cars, private jet flights, and shopping.
When did Pleterski's fraud trial begin?
The trial began on Monday, October 5, 2026, and is expected to run about one month.
