A United States federal court has sentenced Nigerian politician Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo to five years in prison for orchestrating 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 Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright in Tacoma, Washington, according to a statement released by the United States 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 inflicted severe emotional trauma, including depression, shame, and isolation from loved ones.
First Assistant US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said the convict and his associates deliberately 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 these false identities, he allegedly manipulated victims into sending money under fraudulent claims involving military penalties, funeral expenses, emergency situations, and fake investment opportunities.
Prosecutors stated that many of the victims were elderly, widowed, or divorced individuals who genuinely believed they were in romantic relationships.
One victim reportedly maintained an online relationship with the fake persona for three years before learning through the Federal Bureau of Investigation that the entire relationship was fraudulent.
Another victim, described as a widow seeking companionship after her husband’s death, reportedly lost her home and life savings after selling assets to send money to the suspect.
Federal authorities said the fraud operation ran for more than 15 years and caused devastating financial and emotional damage to multiple victims.
FBI Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Harrington said Nwadialo preyed on vulnerable individuals searching for 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 FBI and prosecuted by Assistant US attorneys Sok Tea Jiang and David T. Martin.
