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 masterminding a romance fraud scheme that swindled victims out of more than $3.5 million.
Nwadialo, 42, was sentenced by Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright in Tacoma, Washington, after prosecutors proved he spent over 15 years targeting vulnerable victims through online dating platforms.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Nigerian politician created fake profiles on dating sites including Match, Zoosk and Christian Café, often posing as a military officer named “Giovanni.” He allegedly manipulated victims into sending money for fabricated military fines, family emergencies, funeral expenses and bogus investment opportunities.
Authorities said many of the victims were elderly, widowed or divorced individuals seeking companionship. Some reportedly drained their savings, sold homes and liquidated assets before discovering they had been deceived.
Judge Cartwright described the fraud as “devastating,” noting that beyond financial losses, victims suffered emotional trauma, depression and isolation.
Nwadialo was arrested by the FBI at a Texas airport in November 2024 after arriving from Nigeria and was later prosecuted on 14 counts of wire fraud.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by U.S. federal prosecutors.
