⏱ 2 min read
A 42-year-old Nigerian national, Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, was sentenced to five years in prison for running a $3.5 million romance scam that targeted eight victims across the US, including in Washington state. The scam, which lasted for over 15 years, involved Nwadialo posing as ‘Giovanni’ on dating websites such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café, using false images and information to gain the trust of his victims. He was arrested at an airport in Texas in 2024 and later indicted in December 2023 on 14 counts of wire fraud.
The victims, who were already vulnerable due to the loss of loved ones or other heartbreak, were preyed upon by Nwadialo, who spun tales to gain their trust and eventually stole their life savings. The scam was described as ‘devastating’ by U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright, who noted that it not only caused financial harm but also led to non-monetary damages such as shame, depression, and isolation.
Nwadialo’s scheme involved claiming to run a non-profit organization that provided services for autistic children, among other false stories. He used these lies to convince his victims to send him money, totaling over $3.5 million. The FBI Seattle field office, led by Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Harrington, played a crucial role in bringing Nwadialo to justice.
The sentence was announced by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd, who emphasized the severity of the crime and the harm it caused to the victims. Nwadialo’s arrest and sentencing serve as a warning to those who engage in similar scams, and a reminder of the importance of being cautious when interacting with strangers online.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Washington
- Location: WA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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