Nigerian Man Faces 40 Years for $2.5M Crypto Romance Scam, DOJ Confirms

U.S. authorities have arrested a Nigerian national linked to a $2.5 million cryptocurrency romance scam that targeted emotionally vulnerable victims across the United States. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that 34-year-old Charles Uchenna Nwadavid was taken into custody at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on April 7 after arriving from the United Kingdom.

Federal prosecutors in Boston have charged Nwadavid with mail fraud and money laundering, with each charge carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years behind bars, plus fines, restitution, and asset forfeiture.

Romance Scams Meet Crypto Laundering

According to the indictment, Nwadavid operated the fraud between 2016 and 2019, using fake online identities to manipulate victims into romantic relationships. These fabricated relationships served as a front to coax victims into transferring funds, which were then funneled through cryptocurrency wallets linked to the defendant.

One victim from Massachusetts allegedly became an unwitting intermediary, transferring money on behalf of Nwadavid that had been scammed from at least five other individuals.

Key tactics included:

• Emotional manipulation via fake romantic personas

• Use of crypto wallets to disguise financial trails

• Cross-border laundering to mask the origin of funds

The DOJ noted that the complexity of the scam and the use of decentralized digital assets made it difficult to trace the movement of stolen funds.

Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation

Nwadavid’s indictment was originally filed in January 2024, but his arrest occurred just last week. He has already made an initial court appearance in Texas and is expected to be transferred to Massachusetts to face trial.

If convicted, the penalties could include:

• Up to 20 years per count of fraud and money laundering

• $250,000 in fines, or double the amount of victim losses

• Mandatory restitution and asset forfeiture

• Three years of supervised release post-incarceration

The DOJ emphasized that this is an ongoing investigation and additional arrests may follow as authorities dig deeper into how cryptocurrencies were used to fund and obscure the scheme.

A Warning on Crypto-Enabled Romance Scams

This case highlights a growing trend in financial crimes: the use of cryptocurrency to facilitate romance fraud. As crypto adoption grows globally, so too does its exploitation by scammers seeking to manipulate digital tools for illicit purposes.

Law enforcement officials urge the public to exercise caution with online relationships and to be wary of any request for financial transfers—particularly those involving cryptocurrency or digital wallets.