Federal prosecutors claimed a man posed as a man while defrauding citizens of millions of dollars through romance-related schemes.
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, 40, of , Nigeria, defrauded patients out of more than$ 3.3 million, according to a , Nov. 5 , news release by the , Western District , of Washington , U. S.  , Attorney’s Office.
Nwadialo was indicted in December on 14 counts of wire fraud, prosecutors said, and he was eventually arrested upon his appearance in the , U. S.  , from , Nigeria.
His lawyer data was not quickly available on , Nov. 6.
While using names on various dating websites like Match,  , Zoosk , and , Christian Cafe, Nwadialo catfished individuals and often told them he was deployed globally while in the military, national prosecutors said.
According to the prosecution, he sought out various factors for the money throughout the fraud.
In 2020, he told one prey he needed$ 150, 000 to spend a great after he told the victim his location, prosecutors said.
Over time, the victim was tricked into giving him at least$ 2.4 million, prosecutors said.
Another victim was told to send$ 330, 000 so Nwadialo could have “help moving funds in connection with his father’s death”, prosecutors said.
According to the prosecution, Nwadialo also admitted to investing money for a person and fabricated “proceeds from her purchases” using a search from another victim.
The woman eventually sent Nwadialo at least$ 270, 000, prosecutors said.
Another target sent him at least$ 310, 000 when Nwadialo claimed he needed the money to pay for his son’s education and his brother’s death, lawyers said.
Nwadialo was arrested at an airport after arriving in , Texas  , from , Nigeria, prosecutors said.
He may get transported to the , Western District , of , Washington , for his trial, prosecutors said.
” Line fraud is punishable by up to twenty years in prison”, prosecutors said.
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