Kenyan Among Six Charged in US Crypto Scam Using Fake Romance Profiles

A Kenyan is among six people charged in the United States over an alleged cryptocurrency investment scam in which investigators say dating-site relationships were used to lure victims into fraudulent non-fungible token (NFT) investments.

The US Department of Justice announced the charges on Tuesday, 27 October, saying the operation was run from scam compounds in Madagascar and had links to criminal networks in China and Southeast Asia.

Prosecutors allege that the group targeted Americans by building trust through fake online identities before directing them towards bogus investment websites. Investigators identified about 74 cryptocurrency wallets linked to the scheme, with estimated losses of at least US$516,695. The wallets were associated with approximately 800 victims who reported financial losses.

The case highlights how romance scams and investment fraud can be combined: instead of approaching victims with an obvious financial pitch, alleged scammers first established personal relationships and then used that trust to encourage cryptocurrency investments.

Kenyan among suspects from four African countries

The Kenyan named in the case is Nicodemus Monyancha. The other African defendants are Ugandan national Shamusa Ninsiima, Cameroonian nationals Gislen Neukeu and Rwandan nationals Clement Mugiraneza and Merveille Mudacumura.

The sixth defendant, Malaysian national Chui Kok Wa, is identified by US prosecutors as the alleged leader of the NFT investment scheme.

The charges are allegations, and none of the defendants should be treated as guilty unless proven so in court.

According to the Justice Department, the network established scam compounds in Madagascar in early 2025, apparently relocating operations from Cambodia after law enforcement action there.

The case is part of a wider US effort to pursue online fraud networks across national borders. Investigators say the movement of scam operations between countries makes it harder for authorities to dismantle them permanently.

How the alleged romance-to-crypto scam worked

Investigators say the operation began with contact through dating websites. Scammers allegedly posed as women and built relationships with American victims before introducing them to purported NFT investment opportunities.

Victims were then persuaded to connect their cryptocurrency wallets to websites presented as investment platforms.

Once the wallets were connected, prosecutors allege, the scammers could take cryptocurrency without the owners’ knowledge. Victims were also encouraged to keep adding funds, increasing the amount potentially available to be stolen.

The scheme allegedly relied on prepared scripts and false online identities to maintain the relationships and persuade victims to invest.

One set of instructions found on Chui’s phone described the approach as an “emotional scam”, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors say the materials showed how the alleged operation used victims’ feelings as a route to their money.

The case is a reminder that the risk does not begin only when someone transfers money. A relationship that quickly turns into investment advice, especially involving unfamiliar cryptocurrency websites or requests to connect a wallet, can be a warning sign.

FBI traced wallets and helped seize websites

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from authorities in Madagascar. US investigators said they reviewed thousands of electronic devices recovered during operations targeting scam compounds in the country.

The investigation linked digital evidence to reports from American victims and identified cryptocurrency wallets believed to be connected to the alleged fraud. Prosecutors say the stolen funds were transferred to cryptocurrency accounts associated with actors based in China.

The US government has also seized websites linked to the alleged investment scheme, disrupting platforms investigators say were used to attract victims.

The Justice Department has called on Madagascar to co-operate with the United States and extradite the six defendants. The public announcement did not establish that all six were in US custody, and their current locations were not clear in the reporting available.

Investigation raises questions about possible trafficking

The case has another troubling dimension. US authorities say 15 people who worked for the alleged operation claimed they had been trafficked and abused. Prosecutors said they had obtained a warrant to interview them, and believed the individuals were being held in Madagascar.

Investigators have also acknowledged the difficulty of distinguishing people who knowingly participated in fraud from those who may have been coerced or trafficked into scam compounds. The claims require careful examination and should not be treated as established findings.

That distinction matters in a case involving cross-border recruitment and alleged organised crime. People found working in a scam operation may have different roles and circumstances, and investigators must establish the evidence against each individual.

A warning about trust and digital investments

The charges come amid growing international concern about scam centres that combine online deception, cryptocurrency transfers and the movement of operations between countries.

A recent Bloomberg investigation into the wider scam economy described how criminal networks are spreading beyond large compounds in Southeast Asia, with smaller operations using online tools and financial services to continue their activities.

For potential investors, the lesson is to treat unsolicited investment tips from online acquaintances with caution. A profile that appears genuine, a growing personal connection or a website displaying apparent investment returns is not proof that an offer is legitimate.

People should independently verify investment providers, avoid connecting cryptocurrency wallets to unfamiliar sites and never share recovery phrases or private keys. If a new online relationship begins pressing for urgent investments or additional deposits, stepping back can prevent substantial losses.

For prosecutors, the challenge is to turn digital evidence and victim reports into cases that can withstand scrutiny across jurisdictions. For the defendants, the charges remain allegations to be tested through the legal process.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.