Two Georgia residents have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a romance scam that defrauded more than 30 women across the United States, according to an announcement from United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
On January 28, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced Kenneth G. Akpieyi, also known as “Phillip Anderson,” age 45, of Marietta, Georgia, to 25 years in prison. Emuobosan Emmanuella Hall, age 45, of Atlanta, Georgia, received an eight-year sentence. The sentences stem from a scheme that spanned several years and resulted in millions of dollars in losses for victims.
Akpieyi was convicted after a four-day jury trial in July 2025 on charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Hall had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Akpieyi played a central role in the operation by posing as romantic partners—often claiming to be generals or entrepreneurs living outside the United States—to gain the trust of mostly female victims through social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The conspirators would then move conversations onto encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp before asking for money under false pretenses such as charitable causes or family emergencies.
Victim funds were often sent directly to Akpieyi’s residence using his alias “Phillip Anderson.” He used his company KGA Autobrokers, LLC to funnel money through various bank accounts in an attempt to hide its origins. In one instance cited during the trial, Akpieyi deposited two checks totaling $300,000 from a single victim into two different banks on the same day; both checks were made out to KGA Autobrokers. Funds frequently ended up overseas in countries including China and the United Arab Emirates. Nine women testified at trial about total losses exceeding $3 million.
Judge Milazzo sentenced Akpieyi to three consecutive terms of 100 months each—for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit money laundering; and mail fraud—resulting in a total sentence of 300 months (25 years) plus three years’ supervised release per count and a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. He was found responsible for over $3.5 million in victim losses.
Hall pleaded guilty in February 2025. According to court documents, both Akpieyi and Hall organized Le Beau Monde LLC as part of their fraudulent activities. Hall deposited victim funds into her company’s accounts before transferring them elsewhere—including foreign banks—and admitted responsibility for $851,207 in losses.
Hall was sentenced on each count—conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit money laundering—to concurrent terms of 96 months (eight years), three years’ supervised release per count, and $200 total mandatory special assessment fees combined. She was held responsible for victim losses totaling $851,207.
Restitution amounts owed by both defendants will be determined at a hearing within 90 days.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle commended the FBI New Orleans Field Office for its investigative work on this case while also thanking the FBI Atlanta Field Office and Cobb County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew R. Payne (Financial Crimes Unit) and Lauren Sarver prosecuted the case.
