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<p class="p1"><strong>Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo</strong>, the newly elected chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria, was arrested upon his arrival at a Texas airport in the United States.</p>
<p class="p1">He faces serious allegations of masterminding a multi-million-dollar romance scam that reportedly targeted numerous victims.</p>
<p class="p1">The investigation suggests that Nwadialo may have used various online platforms to deceive individuals, leading to financial losses for those involved.</p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">The 40-year-old Nwadialo was indicted last December by the U.S. <strong>Attorney’s Office</strong> for the Western District of Washington on 14 counts of wire fraud, with accusations of defrauding victims out of over $3.3 million.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">U.S. authorities allege Nwadialo posed as a romantic partner, often using the alias “Giovanni” on dating sites like Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café, pretending to be a U.S. military member stationed abroad to avoid meeting victims in person.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"> According to U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman, he used various tactics to obtain funds from unsuspecting victims, including claims of military-related fines, personal emergencies, and financial investments.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"><em>“One victim was defrauded in 2020 when he claimed he needed $500,000 to pay off a military fine, while another transferred $330,000 after he convinced her he needed assistance moving funds linked to his father’s estate,” Gorman stated.</em><br /></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Other victims were reportedly convinced to “invest” in cryptocurrency accounts controlled by Nwadialo or to assist with fictitious family emergencies, including covering his son’s tuition or father’s funeral costs.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Gorman commended investigators for their efforts in apprehending Nwadialo, noting the difficulty of prosecuting international romance scam suspects. She highlighted that “<em>these defendants are often overseas and unreachable by U.S. law enforcement</em>,” making this arrest a significant step.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Nwadialo now faces arraignment in Washington, where he could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. <strong>The FBI has been involved in the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sok Jiang is leading the prosecution</strong>.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">“<em>The charges are allegations, and under U.S. law, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,</em>” Gorman emphasized in her statement.</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.gistreel.com/newly-elected-anambra-lg-chairman-detained-in-us-for-alleged-multiple-romance-scam/" previewlistener="true">Source link </a></p>

