British Sprinter Chijindu Ujah Arrested in Crypto Fraud Case

British sprinter Chijindu (CJ) Ujah, born in Enfield to Nigerian parents, has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged cryptocurrency fraud scheme.

The 32‑year‑old, a two‑time British 100m champion, was among ten suspects detained following investigations across Kent, Essex, and London.

Investigators allege the group posed as police officers and representatives of crypto firms, tricking victims into revealing sensitive security details such as seed phrases.

Funds were then stolen from digital wallets, with one victim reportedly losing more than £300,000.

Ujah appeared before Margate Magistrates’ Court on April 30 and was granted bail until his next hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on May 28. Fellow sprinter Brandon Mingeli, who represented Great Britain at the 2021 European U23 Championships, was also arrested and has been remanded in custody.

Ujah’s career has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He was part of Britain’s 4x100m gold medal‑winning team at the 2017 World Championships in London, but later served a 22‑month ban after testing positive for prohibited substances at the Tokyo Olympics, a violation that cost Britain its relay silver medal.

Despite returning to reach the 100m semi‑finals at the European Championships in Rome, this latest arrest casts a shadow over his future.