Anambra Council Chairman Jailed in US Over $3.5 Million Online Romance Fraud

A United States federal court has sentenced Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria, to five years in prison for his role in a long-running online romance scam that defrauded victims of more than $3.5 million.

Nwadialo, 42, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright in Tacoma, Washington, on Monday. The court described the scheme as both financially devastating and emotionally damaging to its victims.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Nwadialo and his associates spent more than 15 years targeting vulnerable individuals, many of whom were widowed, divorced, or grieving the loss of loved ones. The group allegedly built fake online relationships with victims before convincing them to send large sums of money.

Judge Cartwright noted that beyond the financial losses, the victims suffered significant emotional trauma, including feelings of shame, depression, and isolation.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said Nwadialo exploited people who were already dealing with personal hardship. He added that the defendant used elaborate stories to gain trust and obtain money, including falsely claiming to operate a nonprofit organization that supported children with autism.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also condemned the scheme. FBI Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Harrington said Nwadialo spent years deceiving people seeking genuine relationships online, ultimately stealing millions of dollars from them.

Court documents revealed that Nwadialo operated under fake identities, often posing as a military officer named “Giovanni” on dating platforms such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café. He reportedly fabricated emergencies, including military penalties, family bereavements, and investment opportunities, to persuade victims to transfer money.

Prosecutors told the court that one victim remained in an online relationship with a fake persona for three years before learning the truth through an FBI investigation. Another victim, a widow, lost her home and life savings after believing she had found a new romantic partner.

Nwadialo was arrested at an airport in Texas in 2024 upon arriving in the United States. He was subsequently charged with 14 counts of wire fraud.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sok Tea Jiang and David T. Martin.