Teddy Miller, a TikTok influencer known for his flashy real estate ventures, has been arrested on federal wire fraud charges, accused of running a scam that promised lucrative investment opportunities in properties he never actually owned. Miller, who goes by the handle “@howtomakecrazymoney” on TikTok, has garnered over 3 million views with his brash, profanity-laced videos that encourage viewers to invest in his so-called Teddy Miller real estate schemes.
Federal authorities allege that Miller’s operations were nothing more than a fraudulent scheme designed to enrich himself at the expense of his unsuspecting clients. On Monday, a criminal complaint was unsealed in West Virginia federal court, charging the 34-year-old self-proclaimed “Wolf of West Virginia” with one count of wire fraud. Miller was ordered detained without bond pending a preliminary hearing.
Miller’s pitch was simple yet deceitful: he promised potential investors a minimum 20% return on their investments by flipping distressed properties and renting them out. His website even claimed that Miller personally guaranteed every investor dollar, ensuring that in the rare case of a failed investment, he would cover the losses himself. However, the FBI claims that Miller used these funds for personal expenses, including paying off mortgages on other properties, rather than investing in the promised Teddy Miller real estate projects.
One of Miller’s alleged victims, identified only as “C.T.” in the complaint, was lured in by Miller’s TikTok videos and agreed to invest $20,000 in a dry-storage facility project in Charleston, West Virginia. Miller assured C.T. that the project was a secure investment, promising a 23% return and a share of the rental income. However, after receiving the funds, Miller reportedly ghosted C.T., failing to deliver on his promises and leaving the project uncompleted.
The complaint details how C.T. discovered that the property Miller claimed to control was actually owned by another entity, Philco, LLC. Despite this, Miller convinced C.T. to proceed with the investment, falsely claiming control over the property. C.T. ultimately traveled to West Virginia in June 2024, only to find that the promised construction had never taken place.
Miller, who portrayed himself on social media as a successful, globe-trotting entrepreneur, now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He is currently being held without bond at the South Central Regional Jail in West Virginia, as the story of Teddy Miller arrested spreads across social media. The arrest has sparked widespread discussion, particularly on TikTok, where many of his followers are now questioning the legitimacy of other influencers peddling similar real estate schemes.
