British Athlete Involved in Olympic Doping Scandal, Now Jailed for Crypto Scam

British sprinter CJ Ujah is one of 10 suspects charged in a UK crypto fraud probe. Authorities say victims lost wallet funds to phone-based deception.

Ujah, 32, was charged with conspiracy to defraud after raids by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit. The operation spanned Kent, Essex, and London. He was granted bail until 28 May at Chelmsford Crown Court.

From Doping Ban to Fraud Charges

The charges landed four years after Ujah’s career was disrupted by a 22-month doping ban tied to Tokyo 2020.

The Athletics Integrity Unit blamed a contaminated £10 ($13.63) beta-alanine supplement bought during the Covid-19 lockdown. He was later cleared of intentional doping.

That redemption narrative carried him through to the 100 m semi-finals at the 2024 European Championships in Rome. Ujah had not raced since April 2025 before this case emerged.

He ran the first leg when Great Britain won the 4x100m relay at the 2017 World Championships. That proved to be Usain Bolt’s final race.

How the Alleged Scam Worked

Investigators say members of the organised group posed as police officers and representatives of a crypto company. They pressured victims to share wallet seed phrases. One person reportedly lost more than £300,000 ($408,895).

Such impersonation tactics have surged across the industry. The Regional Organised Crime Unit warned that genuine police and crypto firms never request seed phrases by phone. They also never demand device access or urgent transfers.

Fellow British sprinter Brandon Mingeli, 25, was also charged. He represented Great Britain at the U23 level in 2021 and remains remanded in custody.

British Athletics has not commented publicly on the case. Both Ujah and his nine co-defendants are presumed innocent. The 28 May hearing will likely shape whether Ujah’s comeback continues.