Key Takeaways
- Olympian CJ Ujah and 9 others faced U.K. court charges on May 28 for an organized cryptocurrency fraud scheme.
- The gang allegedly drained digital assets from victims’ wallets, stealing $403,500 from a single individual.
- All 10 defendants are scheduled to return to the Chelmsford Crown Court on July 24 for the next legal step.
Crypto Fraud Allegations
British sprinter and Olympian CJ Ujah appeared in a U.K. court recently to face charges of belonging to an organized crime group that operated a cryptocurrency scam. Ujah, who previously tested positive for banned substances at the Tokyo Olympics, also faces potential charges of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
According to reports, the sprinter was among 10 individuals implicated in the fraud who appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court on May 28. Prosecutors accused Ujah and his associates of running an elaborate scheme involving phone calls to victims while masquerading as police officers or cryptocurrency company representatives.
The gang allegedly tricked targeted victims into divulging their seed phrases, which were then used to drain digital assets from their wallets. In one instance, a victim allegedly lost $403,500 (£300,000), according to prosecutors.
Ujah’s court appearance marks a new low for the athlete, who became only the fifth Briton to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters when he clocked 9.96 seconds about 12 years ago. After helping the U.K. win the 4×100-meter relay gold at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, Ujah was part of the 4×100-meter relay team that secured silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
However, he later tested positive for two banned substances, resulting in the British team being stripped of its Olympic medals. Although he was later cleared of intentionally taking prohibited substances, Ujah, 32, has not competed since April 2025.
Following the court appearance, four defendants — Brandon Mingeli, Louis Richards-Miller, Joseph Umoru and Jami Durston — were remanded into custody, while the remaining six, including Ujah, were released on bail. They are all expected to return to court on July 24.