On January 28, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced two Georgia residents for their roles in a romance scam that targeted more than 30 women across the United States. Kenneth G. Akpieyi, also known as “Phillip Anderson,” age 45, of Marietta, Georgia, received a 25-year prison sentence. Emuobosan Emmanuella Hall, age 45, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to eight years in prison. The announcement was made by United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The case involved a multi-year scheme in which conspirators posed as romantic partners on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. According to evidence presented at trial, the scammers claimed to be generals, philanthropists, or entrepreneurs living outside the United States. After establishing trust with their victims—mostly women—they moved conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp and developed romantic relationships before requesting money under false pretenses.
Funds sent by victims were received at Akpieyi’s residence in Marietta under the alias “Phillip Anderson.” He used his company KGA Autobrokers, LLC to move money through various bank accounts to conceal its origin and destination. On one occasion, Akpieyi deposited two checks totaling $300,000 from a single victim into different banks on the same day; both checks were written to KGA Autobrokers. Victim funds often ended up in foreign accounts located in countries including China and the United Arab Emirates. Nine victims testified at trial about total losses exceeding $3 million.
Akpieyi was convicted after a four-day jury trial in July 2025 on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Judge Milazzo imposed three consecutive sentences of 100 months each for these offenses—a total of 300 months (25 years) in prison—and ordered three years of supervised release for each count. Akpieyi was also required to pay a $300 mandatory special assessment fee and held responsible for victim losses exceeding $3.5 million.
Hall pleaded guilty in February 2025 to conspiracy charges related to mail and wire fraud and money laundering. Court documents revealed that she helped organize Le Beau Monde LLC with Akpieyi as part of the scam operation. She admitted responsibility for $851,207 in victim losses by depositing funds into her company’s accounts before transferring them elsewhere—including overseas financial institutions.
For her crimes, Hall received concurrent sentences of 96 months (eight years) each for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering; she must also serve three years of supervised release per count and pay a total mandatory special assessment fee of $200.
Restitution amounts owed by both defendants will be determined at a hearing within 90 days.
United States Attorney Courcelle commended the FBI New Orleans Field Office for leading the investigation with support from the FBI Atlanta Field Office and Cobb County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew R. Payne (Financial Crimes Unit) and Lauren Sarver prosecuted the case.
