A legal case involving a serving local government chairman has ended with a prison sentence in the United States.
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded victims of more than $3.5 million.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Nwadialo was sentenced by a federal court in Tacoma after he was found guilty of operating a long-running online fraud network.
The 42-year-old was arrested in Texas in 2024 after arriving in the United States. Subsequently, he was charged with 14 counts of wire fraud linked to an extensive romance scam operation.
The court heard that the scheme lasted for nearly 15 years. During that period, victims were allegedly deceived into sending large amounts of money after believing they were in genuine romantic relationships.
Prosecutors said fake identities were created and used on popular dating platforms. In addition, stolen photographs were allegedly used to support false claims and gain victims’ trust.
Authorities revealed that Nwadialo reportedly operated under aliases, including “Giovanni.” He allegedly presented himself as a military officer stationed overseas.
Victims were persuaded to send money for various reasons. These included fake military penalties, family emergencies, funeral costs, school fees and investment opportunities.
Furthermore, investigators said many victims suffered devastating losses. Some reportedly lost their life savings, while others sold valuable assets to continue supporting the person they believed they loved.
One widow reportedly lost her home after sending money over an extended period. Meanwhile, another victim remained in what she believed was a genuine relationship for three years before learning the truth through an FBI investigation.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright described the crime as devastating. The judge noted that victims experienced severe financial, emotional and psychological harm.
The FBI stated that trust was carefully built with individuals seeking companionship. However, that trust was allegedly exploited for financial gain.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by federal attorneys Sok Tea Jiang and David T. Martin.
Experts say the case highlights the growing dangers of online romance scams. Therefore, internet users are being encouraged to verify identities before sending money to people they meet online.
