Canadian law enforcement has issued a nationwide warrant for a Nigerian man, Chuk Williams, who is accused of defrauding multiple victims out of $275,000 through an elaborate romance scam.
Williams faces 10 counts of fraud and 11 counts of possession of property obtained by crime after failing to appear in court to answer to these charges, according to reports from Edmonton CityNews and other Canadian media outlets.
“A man is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant as part of a romance scam during which he allegedly posed as being in the military and needing financial help, leading to victims losing a combined $275,000,” the report stated.
Investigations by Peel Regional Police revealed that the 30-year-old suspect allegedly targeted individuals across Canada between June 2020 and September 2021. Authorities say Williams sent random friend requests on social media, presenting himself as an active-duty military officer stationed overseas.
Police noted that the initial friendly interactions gradually developed into what victims believed were genuine romantic relationships. During these exchanges, Williams allegedly fabricated stories about needing financial assistance to return home from deployment, which led to him defrauding 11 individuals from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec.
The suspect is described as six-foot-one, 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.