A Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of running a massive romance scam and money laundering operation that stole over $2 million from victims across the United States. The court also ordered him to pay more than $2.7 million in restitution and confirmed that he will face deportation after serving his sentence.
The case, heard in Boston by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin, revealed the intricate ways scammers manipulate victims online. Between 2016 and 2019, Nwadavid tricked at least six people through false online relationships, convincing them to send money overseas. The fraud involved the use of cryptocurrency accounts, which allowed him to move stolen funds quickly and secretly.
Authorities said the scam was part of a larger scheme where victims were lured through online dating sites and social media platforms. Nwadavid created fake profiles and pretended to be romantically interested in the victims. Once trust was gained, he asked for money under false stories, such as needing funds to secure an inheritance or pay for urgent medical expenses.
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How the Scam Worked
The scam relied heavily on deception and technology. Victims were often asked to transfer money that they believed was helping a loved one or friend in distress. Instead, the money ended up in cryptocurrency accounts controlled by Nwadavid.
One victim from Massachusetts was used as an intermediary to receive funds from other victims. These funds were then sent to Nwadavid’s accounts using cryptocurrency platforms like LocalBitcoins. Investigators explained that he repeatedly accessed accounts under other people’s names from abroad to move money to his own accounts.
In total, Nwadavid stole more than $2 million from at least six people. The case highlights the dangers of online relationships with strangers and the increasing use of cryptocurrency in fraud.
Arrest, Charges, and Sentencing
Nwadavid was arrested in April 2025 after arriving in the United States from the United Kingdom. Earlier, in January 2024, a federal grand jury in Boston had indicted him on charges of mail fraud and money laundering. In June 2025, he pleaded guilty to mail fraud, aiding and abetting money laundering, and money laundering itself.
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The federal judge, Leo T. Sorokin, sentenced him to two years in prison and an additional year of supervised release. On top of the prison term, Nwadavid must pay $2,724,810.41 in restitution to his victims. The court also stated that he will be deported from the United States once his sentence is completed.
Federal authorities emphasized the seriousness of the crime. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks highlighted that romance scams often exploit people’s trust and emotions, leaving victims not only financially hurt but emotionally devastated. By using false relationships to steal money, these scams can have a lasting impact on individuals and families.
Officials also noted that prosecutions like this, handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth B. Kosto and Mackenzie A. Queenin, send a strong message about the consequences of online fraud. They stressed the importance of staying alert when dealing with online acquaintances, especially those requesting money.
This case stands as an example of how law enforcement agencies are working to track down and punish those who exploit others through scams. The combination of romance schemes and cryptocurrency made this particular fraud complex, but authorities were able to successfully trace the stolen funds and bring Nwadavid to justice.