Nigerian sentenced to five years in US prison over $3.5 million romance scam

Franklin Nwadialo, a Nigerian citizen, has received a five-year prison sentence in the United States for orchestrating an extensive online romance scam that pilfered more than $3.5 million from unsuspecting victims. The sentence was delivered Tuesday by the US District Court in Tacoma, Washington, as confirmed by US authorities and the FBI.

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It is not an exaggeration to say it ruined lives, not only financial lives.

Nwadialo, 42, was found guilty on 14 counts of wire fraud related to a scheme that preyed on vulnerable individuals, many of whom were elderly, widowed, or divorced. He was apprehended in Texas in 2024 after arriving in the US, having been indicted in December 2023. During the sentencing, Judge Tiffany Cartwright characterized the crimes as "devastating," noting that they ruined lives beyond mere financial losses, citing the profound shame, depression, and isolation experienced by many affected.

The scam involved Nwadialo using various online aliases, such as "Giovanni," to build relationships with victims on dating platforms like Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café. Prosecutors revealed he employed fake profiles with stolen photos and false information, often posing as a military officer deployed abroad. Once trust was established, he would fabricate emergencies or financial hardships to solicit money. In one documented case, he convinced a victim to send funds by claiming a $150,000 military fine.

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This defendant preyed on those already suffering from the loss of loved ones or other heartbreak.

Court filings indicate the fraud scheme persisted for over 15 years, leaving some victims in severe financial distress. One victim reportedly maintained a relationship with Nwadialo's fabricated persona for three years before an FBI investigation exposed the deception. Another victim, a widow seeking companionship, reportedly lost her home and all her savings after liquidating assets to support the scammer.

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For some 15 years he upended the lives of people he never met. He spun tale after tale to gain the victims' trust and their money, even claiming to run a non-profit providing services for autistic children.

"This defendant preyed on those already suffering from the loss of loved ones or other heartbreak," stated First Assistant US Attorney Charles Floyd. "For some 15 years he upended the lives of people he never met. He spun tale after tale to gain the victims' trust and their money, even claiming to run a non-profit providing services for autistic children." FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge Mike Harrington added that Nwadialo exploited individuals seeking companionship online, preying on their vulnerabilities for years.

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For years, Mr Nwadialo preyed on vulner