US Court Sentences Nigerian Politician to 5 Years Imprisonment Over $3.5 Million Romance Scam

Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been sentenced to five years in prison in the United States for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded multiple victims of more than $3.5 million.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, the 42-year-old was sentenced by a federal court in Tacoma after being convicted for operating a long-running online fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable individuals through dating platforms.

Nwadialo was arrested in Texas in 2024 upon arriving in the U.S. and was later charged with 14 counts of wire fraud. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright described the crime as devastating, saying victims suffered severe financial, emotional, and psychological harm.

Prosecutors said Nwadialo spent nearly 15 years deceiving victims by creating fake online identities and posing as a romantic partner. He allegedly targeted older individuals, especially widows and divorcees, convincing them to send money through a series of fabricated stories.

Using aliases such as “Giovanni” on dating platforms including Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café, he reportedly claimed to be a military officer deployed overseas and used stolen photographs to support his false identity. Authorities said he solicited funds for fake military fines, family emergencies, funeral expenses, school fees, and investment opportunities.

Investigators revealed that several victims lost their life savings, while one widow reportedly lost her home after selling assets to send him money. Another victim believed she was in a genuine relationship with him for three years before learning the truth through an FBI investigation.

The FBI said Nwadialo built trust with vulnerable individuals seeking companionship before exploiting them financially. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by federal attorneys Sok Tea Jiang and David T. Martin.