US Court Sentences Anambra LGA Chair Nwadialo To Five Years Over $3.5m Romance Scam

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

Vanguard and Punch reported that Nwadialo, 42, was sentenced in Tacoma, Washington, after an online fraud case handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

The reports said U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright handed down the sentence. Prosecutors said the fraud targeted vulnerable people on dating websites, including older victims, widows and divorcees.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office statement cited by Punch, Nwadialo used fake identities on dating platforms, including variations of the name Giovanni, to gain victims’ trust and obtain money under false pretences.

Investigators said he used stories about military fines, family funerals and investment schemes to persuade victims to send funds.

Vanguard reported that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said the defendant preyed on people already dealing with grief or heartbreak. The FBI also said Nwadialo built trust with victims before exploiting them financially.

Punch reported that Nwadialo was arrested at a Texas airport in 2024 after arriving in the United States and was later indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud linked to the scheme.

The case was handled in the Western District of Washington, where prosecutors said victims lost life savings and suffered emotional harm.

Sources: Vanguard, Punch