Nigerian National Pleads Guilty to $2.5 Million Romance Scam and Money Laundering

According to ShibDaily, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a Nigerian national, has admitted guilt in a Boston federal court for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million. The funds were laundered through cryptocurrency accounts under his control. Nwadavid, aged 35, pleaded guilty to charges of mail fraud and money laundering, including aiding and abetting, as stated in an official press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. He was apprehended in April 2025 upon arrival at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport following a flight from the United Kingdom. Between 2016 and September 2019, Nwadavid engaged in romance scams, deceiving victims into sending money overseas. Prosecutors revealed that he instructed a Massachusetts resident, also a victim, to receive funds from at least five other individuals across the United States. This was part of a scheme to conceal the final destination of the stolen money. After receiving funds from the other victims, the individual transferred the money to Nwadavid through multiple cryptocurrency transactions. Nwadavid then accessed accounts held in the victim’s name from abroad, transferring the stolen funds into cryptocurrency wallets he controlled on the online platform LocalBitcoins. The charging documents describe “romance scams” as fraudulent schemes where perpetrators lure victims through advertisements on dating or social media platforms, posing as potential romantic partners. These scammers create fictitious profiles to build trust and simulate romantic relationships. Victims are manipulated into sending money or facilitating financial transactions involving funds from other victims, often under false pretenses such as urgent financial needs to secure a large inheritance or cover unexpected medical expenses. If convicted of mail fraud, Nwadavid faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years, along with fines reaching $250,000 or twice the amount lost by the victims, as well as restitution and asset forfeiture. For the money laundering charges, he could also receive up to 20 years in prison, fines up to $500,000 or twice the value of laundered assets, plus restitution and forfeiture. Additionally, Nwadavid may be subject to deportation after serving any imposed sentence. Romance scams are increasingly prevalent on social media platforms, with elderly individuals frequently targeted due to limited technological proficiency and a lack of awareness regarding common warning signs of such fraud.