A Nigerian local government chairman has been sentenced to five years in a US federal prison for his role in a long-running romance fraud that defrauded victims of approximately $3.5 million.
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, was handed the sentence by a federal court in Tacoma, Washington, after being found guilty of operating an elaborate online scam spanning 15 years.
The court heard that Nwadialo had defrauded eight individuals through a sophisticated scheme in which he created false online identities and cultivated romantic relationships to gain the trust of his victims before extracting their life savings.
Court documents reveal that Nwadialo was indicted in December 2023 on 14 counts of wire fraud. He was subsequently arrested by the FBI at a Texas airport in 2024 upon entering the United States – just months after being elected as local government chairman in Nigeria on 28 September.
Investigators established that the 47-year-old had presented himself as operating a charity purportedly dedicated to supporting children with autism, using this as a cover story to further his fraudulent activities.
US authorities emphasised that the case involved victims who were already emotionally vulnerable, and that Nwadialo had exploited their circumstances to steal their savings.
The court described the offences as having caused “lasting damage beyond money”, with victims suffering not only significant financial losses but also enduring emotional distress, shame, and fractured personal relationships.
Law enforcement officials noted that Nwadialo’s decision to travel to the United States enabled his arrest and subsequent prosecution, which might otherwise have proved more challenging.
The sentencing marks a significant development in transatlantic efforts to combat international cybercrime and romance fraud, which has become increasingly prevalent in recent years.
Nwadialo’s position as an elected official in Nigeria adds a further dimension to the case, raising questions about how he was able to maintain his political role while operating the scam from abroad.
The US Attorney’s office confirmed that the investigation into the case is continuing, and that they remain committed to pursuing those who perpetrate such schemes against American citizens.
Nwadialo’s legal team has not yet indicated whether they intend to appeal the sentence.
