Key Takeaways
- • Six Africa-based individuals were charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, over a romance-driven crypto investment scam that drained Americans' wallets.
- • Investigators identified about 74 crypto wallets linked to victims in Maryland, Oregon, Nevada and Minnesota, with stolen funds allegedly moved to accounts tied to China-based actors.
- • Prosecutors allege defendant Chui Kok Wa led the scheme, with phone scripts instructing workers to exploit victims' emotions and employment records showing bonuses tied to stolen funds.
- • The U.S. has requested extradition of the six defendants from Madagascar, where the group allegedly operated scam compounds after relocating from Cambodia.
- • The Scam Center Strike Force has restrained more than $1 billion in fraud-linked cryptocurrency and seized more than 700 fraudulent investment websites.
Summary
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced on Tuesday that six Africa-based individuals have been charged with faking romantic relationships to induce Americans to link their cryptocurrency wallets to fraudulent websites, according to 7News and WJLA. The defendants allegedly posed as women on dating sites and social applications, built trust with victims, and then directed them to fake crypto investment platforms. Once victims connected their wallets, the funds were allegedly drained without their knowledge.
Investigators identified roughly 74 crypto wallets linked to victims in Maryland, Oregon, Nevada and Minnesota. Prosecutors said the stolen money was moved to accounts tied to China-based actors. The group allegedly established scam compounds in Madagascar after relocating operations from Cambodia.
Prosecutors identified Chui Kok Wa as the alleged leader. His phones reportedly contained scripts directing workers to use victims' emotional vulnerabilities to encourage investment, along with employment records showing bonuses linked to the stolen proceeds. The U.S. has asked Madagascar to extradite all six defendants. Pirro's office also obtained warrants to interview 15 alleged employees who say they were trafficked and abused; officials believe these individuals are being held in jail in Madagascar.
Pirro said the Scam Center Strike Force has restrained more than $1 billion in cryptocurrency tied to fraud and seized more than 700 fraudulent investment websites. Pirro described the emotional toll on victims, saying, "These cases devastate the victims financially, and they devastate them emotionally because the victim feels that not only have they lost everything, but they feel ashamed." She cautioned the public, saying, "Never connect your cryptocurrency wallet to a website recommended by someone that you met online."
Investigators identified roughly 74 crypto wallets linked to victims in Maryland, Oregon, Nevada and Minnesota. Prosecutors said the stolen money was moved to accounts tied to China-based actors. The group allegedly established scam compounds in Madagascar after relocating operations from Cambodia.
Prosecutors identified Chui Kok Wa as the alleged leader. His phones reportedly contained scripts directing workers to use victims' emotional vulnerabilities to encourage investment, along with employment records showing bonuses linked to the stolen proceeds. The U.S. has asked Madagascar to extradite all six defendants. Pirro's office also obtained warrants to interview 15 alleged employees who say they were trafficked and abused; officials believe these individuals are being held in jail in Madagascar.
Pirro said the Scam Center Strike Force has restrained more than $1 billion in cryptocurrency tied to fraud and seized more than 700 fraudulent investment websites. Pirro described the emotional toll on victims, saying, "These cases devastate the victims financially, and they devastate them emotionally because the victim feels that not only have they lost everything, but they feel ashamed." She cautioned the public, saying, "Never connect your cryptocurrency wallet to a website recommended by someone that you met online."
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