Newly Elected Ogbaru LGA Chairman Caught in $3.3 Million Romance Scam
In a shocking turn of events, Franklin Nwadialo, the Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, has been arrested in Texas, United States, for allegedly running a massive romance scam worth $3.3 million.
Nwadialo, a 40-year-old public official, faces 14 counts of wire fraud charges and could spend up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. He was arrested by the FBI upon his arrival in Texas and will be transferred to the Western District of Washington for arraignment.
According to the indictment, Nwadialo created multiple personas, including ‘Giovanni’, and used false images to pose as a military officer stationed overseas. He would then use these fictional identities to manipulate his victims into sending him money for various fictitious reasons.
One of the victims, defrauded of at least $2.4 million, was convinced to pay a fake fine of $150,000 after being told it was a requirement by the military. In another case, Nwadialo convinced a second victim to help move funds to accounts controlled by him and his co-schemers, claiming he needed the assistance to manage his late father’s assets.
The scam affected multiple victims, with a third victim being defrauded of $270,000 after being convinced to reinvest money in a cryptocurrency account controlled by Nwadialo. A fourth victim was also targeted, with the scammer convincing them to transfer at least $310,000 under the pretense of paying for financial assistance, including funeral costs and school tuition.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sok Jiang. Nwadialo’s alleged criminal activities, detailed in the 14-count indictment, relate to the fraudulent communications and fund transfers orchestrated by the accused and his co-conspirators.
