Anambra LG Chairman Arrested In US Over $3.3 Million Romance Scam

Franklin Nwadialo, the newly elected chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, has been arrested in Texas, USA, over his alleged involvement in a $3.3 million romance scam ¹. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Nwadialo, 40, was taken into custody by the FBI and faces a 14-count charge, which could lead to a 20-year prison sentence if convicted.

Nwadialo allegedly created fake profiles on dating sites like Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café, using the name "Giovanni" to deceive women. He would pose as a military officer stationed overseas, unable to meet in person, and convince his victims to send him money. The scam targeted multiple women, with one victim sending $2.4 million to help pay a fictitious military fine, and another transferring $330,000 to assist with a fake inheritance issue.

The charges against Nwadialo include 14 counts of wire fraud, relating to communications with victims and the transfer of funds to his accounts . The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sok Jiang .

This shocking arrest highlights the prevalence of romance scams, which can have devastating financial and emotional consequences for victims. It's essential to remain vigilant when interacting with strangers online and to report suspicious activity to authorities.