By Deborah Nnamdi
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been sentenced to five years in a United States federal prison for masterminding a long-running online romance scam that defrauded victims of more than $3.5 million.
The 42-year-old Nigerian was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright in Tacoma, Washington, following his conviction in a case that investigators described as one of the most devastating romance fraud schemes uncovered in recent years.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Nwadialo orchestrated an elaborate network of online deception that targeted vulnerable individuals seeking companionship and romantic relationships. Many of the victims were older adults, widows, widowers, and divorced individuals who were manipulated into believing they were involved in genuine relationships.
Judge Cartwright said the fraud extended far beyond financial losses, noting that many victims suffered severe emotional and psychological trauma, including depression, shame, and isolation from family members.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd condemned Nwadialo’s actions, stating that he deliberately preyed on people already dealing with grief, loneliness, and heartbreak.
Prosecutors revealed that for more than 15 years, Nwadialo and his associates used fake online identities to gain the trust of victims before convincing them to send large sums of money. In one case, a victim believed she was in a romantic relationship for three years before discovering through the FBI that the entire relationship had been fabricated. Another victim reportedly lost her home and life savings after being persuaded to liquidate assets to support a fictitious lover.
Investigators said Nwadialo created fraudulent profiles on dating platforms, including Match, Zoosk and Christian Café, often posing as a military officer identified as “Giovanni.” Through these fake identities, victims were allegedly persuaded to send money for fabricated military penalties, family emergencies, funeral expenses, investment opportunities, and other false claims.
Reacting to the conviction, FBI Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Harrington said Nwadialo systematically exploited individuals searching for genuine relationships, stealing millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims over several years.
The FBI arrested Nwadialo at a Texas airport in 2024 shortly after he arrived in the United States. He was later indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud.
Federal prosecutors argued that the magnitude of the losses and the lasting impact on victims warranted a substantial prison term, a position ultimately upheld by the court.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sok Tea Jiang and David T. Martin, bringing an end to a fraud operation that authorities say left numerous victims financially devastated and emotionally scarred.
