SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A Sioux Falls man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including wire fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with an alleged $20 million investment fraud scheme.
Federal prosecutors say 43-year-old Benjamin Paul Wiener faces 29 counts. He pleaded not guilty during a July 10 court appearance and was released on bond pending trial, which is scheduled for September 15.
According to the indictment, Wiener is accused of making false statements to convince people in South Dakota, Minnesota, and elsewhere to invest in his companies. Prosecutors allege he then moved investors’ money through financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges to conceal the source of the funds, using money from new investors to pay earlier investors and cover personal expenses.
The indictment alleges the scheme involved several businesses, including Benaiah Capital LLC, Benaiah Holdings, Inc., Benaiah Digital Fixed Income LP, Benaiah Digital LP, Benaiah Management Company, Inc., Benaiah Enterprises, LLC, Aslan Management, LLC, and Runway Four10.
Wiener is also accused of fraudulently obtaining a $1 million line of credit from a Sioux Falls financial institution in April 2025 by submitting falsified documents and using another person’s identifying information without authorization.
The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Federal officials note that an indictment is an allegation, and Wiener is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
