Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, recently elected as the chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria, was detained at a Texas airport upon arrival in the United States.
Franklin Nwadialo faces allegations of orchestrating a multi-million-dollar romance scam that reportedly impacted multiple victims.
Investigators claimed Nwadialo used online dating platforms to deceive people, leading to significant financial losses.
The 40-year-old was charged last December by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington with 14 counts of wire fraud, accused of defrauding victims of more than $3.3 million.
Authorities alleged that Nwadialo, using the alias “Giovanni,” posed as a U.S. military member on dating sites like Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café.
This allowed him to explain his inability to meet victims in person.
Prosecutors say he convinced victims to send money by creating various emergencies, such as military fines or investments.
According to U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman, one victim transferred $500,000 after Nwadialo claimed he needed the funds to resolve a military fine, while another sent $330,000 under the impression she was assisting with his father’s estate.
Other victims reportedly invested in fake cryptocurrency accounts or helped with supposed family emergencies, including tuition for his son or funeral expenses for his father.
Gorman commended the investigators, noting that international romance scam suspects often operate beyond U.S. law enforcement’s reach, making this arrest notable.
Nwadialo is set to be arraigned in Washington, with potential penalties reaching up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The FBI has been involved in the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sok Jiang handling the prosecution.
Gorman stressed that Franklin Nwadialo remains innocent until proven guilty, as required by U.S. law.
“The charges are allegations, and under U.S. law, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.
KanyiDaily recalls that FBI also declared a Nigerian based man Chidozie Collins Obasi, wanted for defrauding the State of New York State $31 million.
