A Georgia man has been convicted in a multi-million dollar romance scam that targeted women across social media platforms, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Kenneth G. Akpieyi, also known as “Phillip Anderson,” was found guilty by a federal jury on three counts: conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and mail fraud.
The verdict followed a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo in New Orleans. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Akpieyi participated in a scheme where perpetrators posed as romantic partners—often claiming to be generals, philanthropists, or entrepreneurs living outside the United States—to defraud victims met through Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites.
According to testimony, conspirators built trust with their victims before moving conversations to encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp. The relationships were then used to request money for fabricated reasons like charitable work or family emergencies.
Victim funds were sent to Akpieyi under his alias at his Marietta, Georgia residence. He also funneled money through his company KGA Autobrokers, LLC using multiple bank accounts in an effort to hide the movement of funds. On one occasion, he deposited two checks totaling $300,000 from the same victim into different banks on the same day; both checks were written to KGA Autobrokers. Prosecutors said some of the stolen funds ended up in foreign bank accounts in countries including China and the United Arab Emirates.
Eight victims testified about their experiences with losses exceeding $3 million.
Judge Milazzo set sentencing for November 5, 2025. Each count of mail fraud and conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved. Conspiracy to commit money laundering is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $500,000 or twice the value of property involved.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson acknowledged assistance from both FBI field offices in New Orleans and Atlanta as well as the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia.
“Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Field Office in investigating this matter. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson also extended his thanks to the FBI Atlanta Field Office and the Cobb County, GA, Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew R. Payne and Lauren Sarver prosecuted the case.
