DOJ and FBI Charge and Arrest Nigerian National In Case Involving $2.4 Million Romance Scam

On November 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest of Nigerian national Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a key suspect in a large-scale romance fraud scheme that defrauded multiple U.S. citizens out of more than $3.3 million. Nwadialo, who had been operating out of Nigeria, was arrested upon his arrival at a Texas airport and faces 14 counts of wire fraud in the Western District of Washington. The case, led by U.S. Attorney Tess M. Gorman and supported by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, represents a significant breakthrough in tackling cross-border romance scams, which are notoriously challenging to prosecute due to the difficulty of securing arrests and the resources required to trace funds internationally.

Court documents reveal that Nwadialo’s scheme involved creating fake profiles under names like “Giovanni” on popular dating sites such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café. Using these personas, he developed close relationships with his victims, presenting himself as a U.S. military officer deployed overseas, unable to meet in person. Through these elaborate stories, he manipulated victims into believing he faced urgent financial issues, ranging from fines imposed by the military to funeral expenses and hospital bills. For example, he convinced one victim to transfer over $2.4 million in cryptocurrency, citing various emergency needs. Investigators traced the funds to a cryptocurrency wallet registered under Nwadialo’s real name, Nigerian passport, email address, and phone number, providing critical evidence of his identity and involvement.

Nwadialo’s scheme extended beyond the $2.4 million loss, as several other victims were defrauded of substantial sums under similar pretenses. In one instance, he convinced a victim to transfer $330,000 to help with his father’s “death expenses,” while another victim believed she was investing $270,000 in a cryptocurrency account managed by him. Yet another victim was persuaded to transfer $310,000 for supposed family emergencies, including his father’s funeral and his son’s school tuition. These complex frauds were further compounded by the use of sophisticated laundering tactics, with funds passing through multiple wallets and exchanges to obscure their origins. Despite these hurdles, FBI investigators were able to trace the funds across various chains, ultimately leading to an account linked directly to Nwadialo.

This case is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of U.S. law enforcement in addressing romance scams that leverage cryptocurrency and sophisticated international money-laundering techniques. “All too often the defendants in these romance scams are overseas and unreachable by U.S. law enforcement,” stated U.S. Attorney Tess M. Gorman. “I congratulate investigators who are alert to any opportunity to arrest such defendants and hold them accountable.” Romance scams, which can devastate victims both financially and emotionally, are becoming increasingly prevalent and complex as they incorporate cryptocurrency. Thanks to the relentless work of the DOJ, FBI, and international partners, Nwadialo’s arrest marks a rare and significant victory in combating these types of fraud schemes, underscoring the critical need for international collaboration and vigilance in tracking cryptocurrency transactions.

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