A Nigerian national, Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment in the United States for masterminding an online romance scam that defrauded victims of more than $3.5 million.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, the 42-year-old was sentenced by a federal court in Tacoma after being found guilty of operating a sophisticated fraud scheme that targeted individuals seeking relationships through online dating platforms.
Authorities said Nwadialo was arrested in Texas after arriving in the United States in 2024. He was subsequently charged with 14 counts of wire fraud linked to years of online deception.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright highlighted the severe impact of the crimes on victims, noting that the consequences extended beyond financial losses.
“This was a devastating crime. The harm went far beyond money, leaving victims with emotional trauma, shame, depression and strained family relationships,” the judge said.
Investigators revealed that Nwadialo allegedly spent about 15 years creating fake online identities to lure victims into romantic relationships before manipulating them into sending money.
Prosecutors said he frequently targeted older adults, including widows and divorcees, exploiting their trust through fabricated stories and false promises.
Commenting on the conviction, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said the defendant deliberately preyed on vulnerable individuals struggling with loss and loneliness.
“This defendant targeted people already dealing with grief and heartbreak. For more than a decade, he disrupted the lives of individuals he never met, causing lasting financial and emotional damage,” Floyd stated.
Court documents showed that Nwadialo used aliases, including various versions of the name “Giovanni,” on dating websites such as Match, Zoosk and Christian Café.
He reportedly used stolen photographs and fabricated personal details, often claiming to be a military officer stationed overseas to explain why in-person meetings were impossible.
Authorities said he persuaded victims to transfer money by inventing emergencies and financial crises.
In some cases, he claimed he needed funds to settle military penalties, pay funeral expenses, support a child’s education, or invest in lucrative business opportunities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the scheme was built on carefully cultivating trust before exploiting victims financially.
“For years, Mr. Nwadialo gained the confidence of people searching for companionship online and then used deception to steal millions of dollars from them,” said W. Mike Harrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle Field Office.
Prosecutors told the court that several victims suffered devastating losses. One woman reportedly believed she was in a genuine relationship with the scammer’s online persona for three years before learning the truth during an FBI investigation.
Another victim, a widow, allegedly lost both her savings and her home after selling assets to send money to the fraudster. She continues to face financial hardship as a result of the losses.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sok Tea Jiang and David T. Martin.
