The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has arrested Abuja-based businessman, Uchenna Charles Nwadavid, for allegedly defrauding American citizens in a years-long internet scam scheme that gave him over $2.5 million.
The Peoples Gazette quoting a court document, reports that the 34-year-old Nwadavid was apprehended on April 7 upon arrival at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport from London.
Unaware that a grand jury indictment had been issued against him over a year ago, he was taken into custody as soon as he arrived.
Nwadavid, who runs construction firm Nec Bullion Concept and co-founded the Nec Bullion Foundation with his brother, politician Emmanuel Chijioke Nwadavid, made an initial appearance in federal court in northern Texas on April 8.
He is expected to face trial in Massachusetts, though a date has not yet been confirmed.
U.S. authorities allege that Nwadavid was involved in an online romance scam between 2016 and 2019, where he targeted women and used them as money mules to launder stolen funds.
According to paper, at least six victims across Massachusetts, Florida, New Jersey, and Kansas testified before the grand jury that returned his indictment on January 23, 2024.
A significant portion of the stolen funds was traced to Nwadavid’s cryptocurrency accounts. If convicted on charges of internet fraud and money laundering, he could face up to 40 years in prison.
His brother Emmanuel Nwadavid, a political figure reportedly linked to President Bola Tinubu’s tech minister Uche Nnaji, did not respond to requests for comment.
Nwadavid’s arrest comes just five months after another Nigerian, Franklin Nwadialo—then serving as a local government chairman in Anambra—was arrested in Houston on similar charges involving over $3 million. He was later transferred to Seattle to face trial.
