In a stunning development, Franklin Nwadialo, the recently elected chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria, has been arrested in Texas, USA, on allegations of orchestrating a $3.3 million romance scam. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Nwadialo faces a 14-count indictment, and, if convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
Nwadialo, 40, was apprehended by the FBI upon his arrival in Texas, and authorities confirmed he will be transferred to the Western District of Washington, where he will be formally arraigned. According to the indictment, Nwadialo allegedly used aliases, including the name “Giovanni,” to lure victims on dating sites like Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café. Posing as a deployed military officer to avoid in-person meetings, he used fake photos and elaborate stories to gain trust before manipulating victims into sending money.
This high-profile arrest has caused a stir in Anambra State, where Nwadialo’s recent election to office had marked the beginning of his political career. Now, however, the scandal threatens to overshadow his office and may have significant repercussions for political figures across the region as Nigerian authorities and citizens watch the unfolding case closely.
