British sprinter CJ Ujah arrested over alleged cryptocurrency fraud
Former British world champion sprinter CJ Ujah has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged cryptocurrency fraud.
The 32-year-old is one of 10 individuals facing charges of conspiracy to defraud following an investigation spanning Kent, Essex and London.
The Regional Organised Crime Unit Network (ROCU) confirmed the arrests stem from a suspected organised crime group scam.
Elaborate scam targets crypto wallets
Suspects allegedly posed as police officers and cryptocurrency representatives during phone calls to multiple victims.
The perpetrators tricked individuals into sharing vital security details, including seed phrases, before draining their digital wallets.
One victim is reported to have lost more than £300,000 in the sophisticated operation.
“Victims are reported to have been tricked into sharing important security details, including seed phrases, before discovering funds stored in their crypto wallets had been stolen.”
Court dates and fellow athletes involved
The former world relay champion appeared before Margate Magistrates’ Court on 30 April.
He is currently one of seven people released on bail and will attend a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 28 May.
Fellow British sprinter Brandon Mingeli, who represented Great Britain at the 2021 Under-23 European Championships, was also arrested and remanded in custody.
Previous controversies and career suspension
The two-time British 100m champion previously served a 22-month ban for a doping violation at the delayed Tokyo Olympics.
That infraction resulted in the British men’s relay team being stripped of their silver medals, though he was later cleared of intentional doping.
Having returned to competition and reached the 100m semi-finals at the 2024 European Championships, the former Olympian has not raced competitively since last April.
Governing body British Athletics has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.