CEO of Nigerian Construction Firm Convicted in $2.5M U.S. Romance Scam, Faces Deportation

By Arthur Maduka

Charles Nwadavid, CEO of Nigerian construction firm Nec Bullion, has been convicted by a federal court in Boston, United States, for defrauding victims of over \$2.5 million through a romance scam and laundering the proceeds via cryptocurrency channels. The 35-year-old businessman, originally from Abuja, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of mail fraud, money laundering, and aiding and abetting money laundering. His sentencing has been scheduled for September 23, 2025.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Nwadavid used fake online identities on dating and social media platforms to lure and exploit victims, primarily in Massachusetts, under the guise of romantic relationships. Between 2016 and 2019, he manipulated victims into sending funds overseas, with one victim unknowingly acting as an intermediary by receiving money from others and forwarding it to Nwadavid through a series of cryptocurrency transactions. He then accessed accounts in victims’ names from abroad to transfer the stolen funds into wallets he controlled on LocalBitcoins, a cryptocurrency exchange platform.

Nwadavid was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2024 and arrested in April 2025 upon arrival in the United States from the United Kingdom. His conviction follows an investigation led by the FBI’s Boston Division in collaboration with federal prosecutors.

The crimes carry severe penalties. Mail fraud and money laundering each carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, along with supervised release, fines, restitution, and asset forfeiture. Following his sentence, Nwadavid also faces deportation to Nigeria.