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By Lizzy Chirkpi
A United States federal court has sentenced Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, to five years in prison for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that swindled victims out of more than $3.5 million.
Nwadialo, 42, was sentenced by US District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright in Tacoma, Washington on Wednesday after being found guilty of running a long-term online scam that targeted emotionally vulnerable individuals seeking companionship.
Describing the scheme as “devastating,” Judge Cartwright said the fraud inflicted not only severe financial losses but also deep emotional harm on victims, leaving many with depression, shame and strained family relationships.
According to US prosecutors, Nwadialo and his associates used fake identities on dating platforms, including Match, Zoosk and Christian Café, often posing as a military officer known as “Giovanni” to build trust with victims.
The scammers allegedly persuaded victims to part with money under false claims ranging from military penalties and funeral expenses to emergency situations and bogus investment opportunities.
First Assistant US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said the fraudsters deliberately preyed on individuals dealing with heartbreak, divorce and bereavement, while many of the victims were elderly, widowed or divorced people seeking genuine relationships.
Court documents revealed that one victim maintained an online relationship with the fake persona for three years before learning from the FBI that it was a scam. Another victim, a widow searching for companionship after losing her husband, reportedly lost her home and life savings after selling assets to send money to the suspect.
Federal investigators said the operation ran for more than 15 years, causing extensive financial and emotional damage.
FBI Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Harrington said Nwadialo exploited vulnerable people looking for companionship and manipulated them into surrendering their life savings.
The Nigerian politician was arrested in Texas in 2024 shortly after arriving in the United States and was subsequently indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Sok Tea Jiang and David T. Martin.