A Nigerian national, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, has been charged in connection with a scheme to defraud victims out of more than $2.5 million through romance scams, subsequently laundering the proceeds through cryptocurrency accounts under his control. Nwadavid, 34, from Abuja, Nigeria, was detained after being arrested on April 7, 2025, upon arrival at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from a flight originating in the United Kingdom.
A federal grand jury in Boston indicted Nwadavid in January 2024 on charges of mail fraud and money laundering. Following his arrest, Nwadavid appeared in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 8, 2025, and he is awaiting further proceedings before appearing in federal court in Boston at a later date.
Charging documents reveal that the accused participated in romance scams by creating fictitious profiles on dating and social media sites to lure victims into fictitious romantic relationships. The intention was to gain victims' trust and defraud them through false urgencies requiring funds, such as securing a large inheritance or paying for hospital expenses.
Between 2016 and September 2019, Nwadavid is alleged to have deceived victims, instructing them to send money overseas. He supposedly used a Massachusetts victim, referred to as Victim 1, to channel funds from five other victims in the United States. By misdirecting Victim 1's and others' money via cryptocurrency transactions, Nwadavid is said to have transferred the stolen funds to accounts he managed on LocalBitcoins, an online cryptocurrency platform.
The maximum penalty for mail fraud and money laundering includes up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000 or twice the victim's loss for mail fraud, and up to $500,000 or twice the property value for money laundering. Restitution and forfeiture also apply, with deportation awaiting Nwadavid after serving any imposed sentence. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.
The charges were announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Boston Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division is handling the prosecution. The accusations remain allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.