Fraud Accusations Against Melbourne Wade Shift to Civil Court as Criminal Charges Drop

Melbourne Wade, the 32-year-old Belama resident accused of defrauding multiple individuals in vehicle-related scams, is facing a mixed bag of legal outcomes. While several victims have withdrawn criminal charges, civil lawsuits are now underway to recover their losses.  Wade, who allegedly collected down payments from individuals promising to purchase vehicles for them but then failed to deliver, has faced accusations from eight different individuals. Notably, former City Mayor Zenaida Moya is among the alleged victims, with a pending criminal case against Wade in Court #5.  Today, a significant development occurred as three of the remaining victims withdrew their criminal charges. This leaves Wade with four outstanding cases.  Outside the courtroom, Wade, who describes himself as a changed man, acknowledged the “bad business” that led to these accusations. He emphasized his desire to make amends with the victims through civil agreements rather than facing potential imprisonment. Wade stated that September 2024 marked his last jail visit and that he intends to demonstrate to the public that he is not a “con artist” as portrayed in some media.  

Melbourne Wade, Accused Scammer:  “I was spending my last time in jail, laying back, thinking about things that people have accused me of wrongfully doing. It was not really scamming or stealing from people it was just bad business going wrong, right? And I am willing to own up to every responsibility, like I said. Four cases have been withdrawn against me and people have gone in the civil suit matter way. You know, it’s not the problem by paying back people their money or bad business, or fix what is gone wrong but I have a changed life, I have a family out there that I need to be out there for so I have a little son that is 10. I’m willing to do the absolute best to fix my name because the only thing I have in life is my name, right? There’s a lot of young folks out there running around and I’m one of them trying to make myself, which is 2025, you know? Trying to make my life better and different so if anybody feel like they have, if I do you anything bad or anything wrong there’s a court way, there’s a civil suit way, they’ve got a criminal way too, but the criminal way is just going to prolong me to go to jail, not be out here to take care of bills that I have created. You know and I’m not running from anyone. I’m out on bail. I have been attending all my court cases, signing all of them, and I’m willing to tell people that the Melbourne Wade  way that you know then is not the Melbourne Wade now. I’m a changed person, willing to work with you. You know what I mean? I have the same address and everything and so the people have understood me. They are here today. They are here to withdraw some cases against me. And I am proud of myself. I am not perfect and nobody in this world is perfect. But people deserve a second chance in life. And I hope everybody else understands. Learn from your mistakes. Don’t make the same mistakes over and over.”

One of the victims who withdrew criminal charges immediately initiated civil proceedings against Wade, with both parties entering into an agreement for installment payments.  Wade is due back in court on January 30 to face the remaining criminal charges.