A Nigerian national, Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, has been sentenced to five years in a United States federal prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded multiple victims of more than $3.5 million.
Nwadialo, 42, was sentenced by Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Washington, after being convicted of wire fraud offences linked to a long-running online scam operation.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Nwadialo used fake identities and fabricated stories to deceive vulnerable victims, many of whom were elderly, widowed, or divorced individuals seeking companionship through online dating platforms. Operating under aliases including “Giovanni,” he allegedly posed as a U.S. military officer deployed overseas to gain the trust of his targets.
Investigators said he convinced victims to send large sums of money through wire transfers and cryptocurrency transactions by inventing various emergencies, including military fines, medical issues, funeral expenses, and educational costs.
Court records showed that one victim alone lost more than $2.4 million after being persuaded to provide financial assistance for a series of fabricated crises. Another victim reportedly liquidated her home equity and retirement savings after believing she was in a genuine romantic relationship with the scammer.
Prosecutors also revealed that Nwadialo operated a fraudulent investment scheme in which funds obtained from one victim were used to create the illusion of returns for another, helping him sustain the deception.
The scheme came to an end when Nwadialo travelled from Nigeria to the United States, where he was arrested by federal agents upon arrival at a Texas airport. The case was subsequently transferred to Washington State for prosecution.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which documented losses exceeding $3.5 million across eight victims. Nwadialo was convicted on 14 counts of wire fraud.
Speaking after the sentencing, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said the defendant exploited individuals who were already dealing with grief, loneliness, and personal hardships.
In addition to his prison sentence, Nwadialo is expected to pay restitution to victims as ordered by the court. Authorities said the case highlights the growing threat posed by online romance scams and urged the public to exercise caution when engaging with individuals they meet through digital platforms.