U.S. authorities have arrested Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 34-year-old Nigerian resident of Abuja, for allegedly orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded six individuals of over $2.5 million. Nwadavid was taken into custody on April 7, 2025, upon his arrival at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from the United Kingdom.
In January 2024, a federal grand jury in Boston indicted Nwadavid on charges of mail fraud and money laundering. He made his initial court appearance on April 8, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was ordered detained pending further proceedings. Plans are underway to transfer him to Boston for arraignment.
According to court documents, Nwadavid engaged in “romance scams” by creating fake profiles on dating and social media platforms to establish deceptive online relationships. He allegedly convinced victims to send him money under false pretenses, such as needing funds to access a fictitious multi-million dollar inheritance or to cover sudden medical emergencies.
Between 2016 and September 2019, Nwadavid reportedly persuaded a Massachusetts woman, referred to as “Victim 1,” to receive money from five other victims across the United States. He then directed her to convert these funds into cryptocurrency and transfer them to digital wallets he controlled on the LocalBitcoins platform. Authorities also claim that Nwadavid accessed accounts in Victim 1’s name from outside the U.S. to facilitate these transactions.
If convicted, Nwadavid faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge, along with fines and potential restitution. Following any prison sentence, he may also face deportation.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
