A Nigerian national, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, has been indicted in the United States for his alleged involvement in a $2.5 million romance scam that targeted six victims across the country. The charges, which include mail fraud and money laundering, could result in a 20-year prison sentence if he is convicted.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed in a statement on Wednesday that Nwadavid, 34, was arrested on April 7, 2025, upon arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from the United Kingdom. He is accused of orchestrating elaborate online scams between 2016 and 2019, using fake profiles on dating and social media platforms to lure victims into fraudulent relationships.
According to court documents, perpetrators of romance scams typically create fictitious profiles to gain victims’ trust under the guise of a romantic relationship. Victims are then manipulated into transferring money or conducting financial transactions under false pretenses, such as claims of urgent medical needs or securing multimillion-dollar inheritances.
Nwadavid allegedly used one victim from Massachusetts (referred to as Victim 1) as an intermediary to collect funds from five other victims across the U.S. He is accused of tricking Victim 1 into transferring her own money and funds from other victims through cryptocurrency transactions. The statement further alleges that he accessed accounts in Victim 1’s name remotely to move the stolen funds into cryptocurrency wallets he controlled via LocalBitcoins, an online trading platform.
The charges against Nwadavid carry severe penalties. Mail fraud alone could lead to up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines of up to $250,000 or twice the financial loss caused to victims. Money laundering charges also carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $500,000 or twice the value of laundered property.
In addition to these penalties, Nwadavid may face deportation upon completing any sentence imposed by the court. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
Nwadavid made his first court appearance on April 8, 2025, at a federal court in Fort Worth, Texas. He has been detained pending further legal proceedings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that all charges are allegations at this stage and that Nwadavid is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
