Kenyan among six charged after FBI-backed raid on Madagascar NFT scam compounds
The charges form part of a broader US crackdown on cryptocurrency investment fraud linked to transnational criminal networks, including operations that use scam compounds to target victims internationally.
A Kenyan national is among six Africa-based suspects charged in the United States (US) over an alleged cryptocurrency investment scam that targeted about 800 Americans through fraudulent non-fungible token (NFT) investment platforms.
Nicodemus Hingima Monyancha is accused of working with Cameroonian national Gislen Neukeu, Ugandan national Shamusa Ninsiima, Rwandan nationals Clement Mugiraneza and Merveille Macacumura, and Chinese national Chui Kok Wa, whom prosecutors identified as the alleged leader of the scheme.
According to the US Department of Justice, the prosecution is part of efforts by its Scam Centre Strike Force to combat cryptocurrency and online investment fraud perpetrated by transnational criminal organisations.
US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said Chinese criminal networks were increasingly deploying scammers across Africa, Europe and other regions to target Americans through dating websites, social media and messaging applications.
The Department said the alleged scheme involved scammers posing as attractive women on dating platforms to establish relationships with victims before persuading them to invest in fraudulent NFT platforms.
Once victims connected their cryptocurrency wallets to the fake websites, they were encouraged to deposit additional funds, which the scammers allegedly stole without their knowledge.
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FBI investigators identified approximately 74 cryptocurrency wallets associated with about 800 victims across the US who reported financial losses after interacting with fraudulent online investment platforms.
Court affidavits indicate that the group, which had links to Malaysia and China, established scam compounds in Madagascar in early 2025, reportedly relocating operations from Cambodia following law enforcement action there.
Investigators also traced stolen funds to cryptocurrency accounts associated with China-based individuals, including Wa.
According to the Department, Wa's phones contained employment contracts showing that workers in Madagascar operated overnight shifts corresponding to daytime and evening hours in the US. Employees were allegedly offered bonuses tied to the amount of money they stole.
His devices also contained scripts instructing workers on how to manipulate victims emotionally to secure investments, including guidance describing the operation as an “emotional scam” that exploited victims' feelings to persuade them to invest.
The phones also contained employee rosters with names, passport details, salaries, working hours, disciplinary records and cryptocurrency wallet addresses.
US Attorney Michael Heyman for the District of Alaska said the defendants allegedly operated a sophisticated fraud scheme from Madagascar, exploiting Americans' trust to steal their money.
He warned that operating from abroad would not shield those targeting Americans from prosecution.
The case follows an FBI-supported operation in Madagascar in August 2026, during which authorities dismantled 13 suspected scam compounds and seized more than 3,200 electronic devices.
At the time, the FBI deployed a team to Madagascar at the invitation of the country's Ministry of Justice and National Police to assist with the operation.
However, the Department said US investigators subsequently faced difficulties interviewing individuals linked to the case after Madagascar repatriated numerous suspects to China before the investigation was completed.
Pirro called on the Madagascar government to cooperate with the US and extradite the six defendants to face the charges. She also said US authorities had obtained a material witness warrant to interview 15 employees associated with the scheme.
The employees reportedly claimed they had been trafficked and abused by Wa but were believed to be in custody in Madagascar.
The US Secret Service and FBI said investigations were continuing to identify those involved, trace stolen cryptocurrency and hold alleged perpetrators accountable.
The charges form part of a broader US crackdown on cryptocurrency investment fraud linked to transnational criminal networks, including operations that use scam compounds to target victims internationally.
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