A Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, has been sentenced to two years in prison in the United States for his role in a multimillion-dollar romance scam that defrauded victims of more than $2 million.

The 35-year-old from Abuja was sentenced on September 24, 2025, by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin in Boston. Along with his prison term, Nwadavid will serve one year of supervised release and has been ordered to pay $2,724,810.41 in restitution. He also faces deportation after completing his sentence.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Nwadavid was arrested in April 2025 after flying from the United Kingdom to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. He had previously pleaded guilty in June 2025 to charges of mail fraud, money laundering, and aiding and abetting money laundering.

Court documents revealed that between 2016 and 2019, Nwadavid participated in elaborate romance scams, luring victims through fake online relationships. The fraudsters gained victims’ trust before persuading them to send money under false pretenses, such as medical emergencies or inheritance claims.

One Massachusetts victim unknowingly helped channel funds from multiple victims across the U.S., which Nwadavid then transferred into cryptocurrency accounts he controlled via the platform LocalBitcoins.

Authorities stressed that such scams remain a serious threat. “Romance scams prey on trust and emotions, leaving victims financially devastated and emotionally scarred,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth B. Kosto and Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division.

The conviction underscores ongoing U.S. efforts to combat cyber-enabled fraud schemes targeting vulnerable individuals online.