(Patriot.buzz) – In a disturbing crime scheme, a romance scammer posing as a soldier has swindled more than $3.3 million, exploiting the vulnerabilities of trusting Americans.
See a photo of the arrested scammer in the tweet below!
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a Nigerian national, now faces decades behind bars after his recent arrest in Texas.
This alarming incident underscores the insidious dangers lurking on online dating platforms, urging users to exercise caution.
Nwadialo, operating under the alias “Giovanni,” defrauded women on dating websites including Match and Zoosk, claiming to be a deployed soldier.
Through elaborately fabricated scenarios of financial distress—ranging from military fines to family emergencies—Nwadialo preyed on victims’ emotions, convincing them to transfer him millions of dollars.
This scheme, spanning from December 2019 to December 2023, finally came to a halt with his arrest upon landing in Texas from Nigeria.
While romance scammers often operate beyond the reach of U.S. authorities, Nwadialo’s capture is a victory against these elusive criminals.
“All too often the defendants in these romance scams are overseas and unreachable by U.S. law enforcement,” stated U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman, highlighting the international challenges these cases present.
Such scams, predominantly targeting older, widowed, or divorced women, reveal a disturbing pattern of manipulation and deceit.
One particularly tragic case involved a victim identified as J.C., who was led to believe she was in a romantic relationship with Nwadialo.
She liquidated her deceased husband’s retirement account, sold her home, and sent him more than $2.4 million.
Court documents reveal J.C.’s funds were requested using false claims of military and personal crises, reflecting the ruthless tactics employed by Nwadialo.
Investigators revealed he conjured numerous excuses for needing money, such as military fines, funeral costs, and tuition fees.
Some victims were even coerced into transferring or holding money for Nwadialo, making them unwitting participants in his fraudulent activities.
Nwadialo now faces 14 counts of wire fraud, each carrying the potential for a 20-year prison sentence.
“I congratulate investigators who are alert to any opportunity to arrest such defendants and hold them accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.
The FBI is diligently investigating the case, demonstrating rigorous efforts to prosecute these cybercriminals.
Assistant United States Attorney Sok Jiang is leading the prosecution, aiming to secure a landmark sentence to serve as a cautionary tale for prospective cybercrooks.
Nwadialo is currently held in a federal prison in Houston, awaiting arraignment in the Western District of Washington.
According to reports, he had just recently been elected the new chairman of Ogbaru Local Government in Nigeria.
BREAKING NEWS:
FBI reportedly arrests newly elected Ogbaru
LGA Chairman, Nwadialo, upon arrival in Texas for alleged romance fraud totaling over $3.3million.Me- just imagine how disgusting some of these stories are, so he joined politics with money he got from romance scam. pic.twitter.com/vnmnOy0VYi
— Chukwunonso James (@ChukwunonsoJam6) November 9, 2024
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