The Anambra State government has launched an investigation into allegations of a $3.3 million romance scam involving Franklin Nwadialo, the newly elected chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area.
Nwadialo, 40, was arrested in Texas by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for allegedly using false online profiles to defraud vulnerable women.
According to the statement released by the US Department of Justice on Tuesday, Nwadialo used various aliases, including “Giovanni,” and claimed to be a military personnel deployed overseas to deceive his victims. He allegedly duped four women of $2.4 million, $330,000, $270,000, and $310,000, respectively.
“Nwadialo used various versions of the name ‘Giovanni’ when he met his victims online on websites such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café, and “typically told the victims that he was in the military and deployed overseas, so he could not meet them in person.
“In one such case in 2020, he claimed he had been fined by the military for revealing his location to the victim. He asked the victim to help him pay the $150,000 fine. In all, that victim was defrauded of at least $2.4m,” DOJ stated.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, confirmed that the state government is investigating the matter to determine its true position. A ranking member of the state House of Assembly suggested that Nwadialo’s deputy may be sworn in, pending an official response from US authorities.
“We just saw it online. But we are still investigating and making efforts to find out its true position before taking our stand,” he said.
Nwadialo faces 14 counts of wire fraud, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and will be arraigned in the US Court.
Read also: Newly Elected Anambra LG Chairman Arrested for $3.3m Romance Scam in Texas
Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.