Nigerian Man Faces Legal Trouble in Canada Over Alleged Romance Scam

A Nigerian man has been arrested in Canada over allegations of running a romance scam, sparking concerns over online fraud and cross-border cybercrime.

Canadian authorities have issued a nationwide warrant for Chuk Williams, a Nigerian man accused of orchestrating an elaborate romance scam that defrauded several victims of $275,000.

According to reports from Edmonton CityNews and various Canadian media outlets, Williams is charged with 10 counts of fraud and 11 counts of possessing property acquired through criminal means after failing to appear in court to address these allegations.

According to the report, a man is sought under a Canada-wide warrant for his alleged involvement in a romance scam. He reportedly impersonated military personnel and claimed to need financial assistance, resulting in victims losing a total of $275,000.

Investigations conducted by Peel Regional Police uncovered that the 30-year-old suspect is believed to have targeted people throughout Canada from June 2020 to September 2021. Authorities report that Williams sent unsolicited friend requests on social media, posing as an active-duty military officer stationed abroad.

The police observed that what began as friendly interactions slowly evolved into relationships the victims considered to be genuinely romantic. Throughout these exchanges, Williams is accused of concocting stories about requiring financial help to return home from deployment, ultimately defrauding 11 people across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec.

The suspect is described as being six feet one inch tall and weighing 165 pounds, with black hair styled in short dreadlocks and brown eyes. He has several tattoos, including visible markings on his chest and forearms.