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    • Nigerian man arrested on landing in Houston in alleged love fraud
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    Nigerian man arrested on landing in Houston in alleged love fraud

    Online Niel Posted on

    A Nigerian man in Texas has been arrested in connection with what federal authorities say was a romantic fraud scheme which grossed more than $3.3 million.

    FBI agents arrested Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo40 years, Saturday upon arrival at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, the FBI announced on Tuesday. He was traveling from Nigeria and is now being taken to the Western District of Washington for trial.

    Nwadialo was indicted last December on 14 counts of wire fraud stemming from a romance scheme that defrauded four people. He allegedly defrauded victims of at least $3.3 million with the help of conspirators who have not been identified, according to the indictment and criminal complaint obtained Thursday by USA TODAY.

    “Too often, the defendants in these romance scams are overseas and unreachable by U.S. law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman said in a statement. of the defendants and to hold them accountable”.

    USA TODAY could not determine whether Nwadialo had received an attorney as of Thursday night.

    The victims said they could not meet because he was posted overseas

    Nwadialo is accused of lying to get victims to send him money through online dating services such as Match, Zoosk and Christian Café, according to the indictment.

    Using fake pictures for his profile, Nwadialo allegedly told victims he couldn’t meet in person because he was serving in the military and was deployed overseas, according to the indictment.

    He allegedly used various versions of the name “Giovanni”, including “Tony Giovanni” and “David Giovanni”.

    Lies include military fine, father’s funeral and son’s tuition: FBI

    In November 2020, authorities say Nwadialo allegedly asked a victim to pay a $150,000 fine placed by the military for revealing his location to them, according to the indictment.

    In 2019, he is accused of telling another person he needed help moving money after his father’s death, according to the indictment. That victim transferred at least $330,000 to accounts controlled by Nwadialo and his co-conspirators.

    In another case, he is accused of telling a woman he was making up money for her. She ended up losing at least $270,000, the complaint says.

    In August 2020, another person sent Nwadialo at least $310,000 after claiming he needed financial assistance for his father’s funeral and his son’s schooling, the indictment said.

    Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

    Online Niel
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