US court jails Anambra LG chairman five years over $3.5m romance scam

A United States federal court has sentenced a Nigerian politician, Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, to five years imprisonment for masterminding a long-running online romance fraud scheme that defrauded victims of more than $3.5 million.

Nwadialo, 42, who serves as Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, was sentenced by US District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright in Tacoma, Washington, according to a statement released by the US Department of Justice.

While delivering judgment, the judge described the fraudulent operation as “devastating,” noting that beyond the financial losses suffered by victims, the scheme caused emotional trauma, including depression, shame and isolation from family members.

First Assistant US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said the convict and his associates targeted emotionally vulnerable individuals, particularly those dealing with heartbreak, divorce or the loss of loved ones.

According to prosecutors, Nwadialo operated fake identities on dating platforms including Match, Zoosk and Christian Café, often posing as a military officer identified as “Giovanni”.

Using the fake personas, he allegedly manipulated victims into sending money under false pretences, including fabricated military penalties, funeral expenses, emergencies and fraudulent investment opportunities.

Prosecutors stated that many of the victims were elderly, widowed or divorced individuals who believed they were in genuine romantic relationships.

One victim reportedly maintained an online relationship with the fake identity for three years before learning through the FBI that the entire relationship was fraudulent.

Another victim, described as a widow searching for companionship after her husband’s death, allegedly lost her home and life savings after liquidating assets to send money to the suspect.

Federal authorities said the fraud scheme operated for more than 15 years and caused severe financial and emotional damage to multiple victims.

FBI Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Harrington said Nwadialo exploited vulnerable people seeking companionship online and deceived them into surrendering their life savings.

The Nigerian politician was arrested in 2024 at an airport in Texas shortly after arriving in the United States and was later 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.