TL;DR: On January 28, 2026, a federal judge in New Orleans sentenced Kenneth Akpieyi, 45, to 25 years and Emuobosan Hall, 45, to 8 years for a romance scam that victimised more than 30 women. Akpieyi was held responsible for losses over $3.5 million and Hall admitted $851,207. Local news reported the scheme as nearly $10 million.
What happened
The US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana says US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced two Georgia residents on January 28, 2026. Kenneth G. Akpieyi, 45, of Marietta, who used the alias “Phillip Anderson”, got 300 months (25 years) after a four-day jury trial in July 2025. Emuobosan Emmanuella Hall, 45, of Atlanta, who pleaded guilty in February 2025, got 96 months (8 years). Both must pay restitution to be set at a later hearing.
The press release puts Akpieyi's responsibility at over $3.5 million in victim losses and Hall's at $851,207. Fox 8 Live reported the scheme as nearly $10 million and said it targeted widows over 60; the DOJ release describes victims as more than 30 women across the country, so we use the DOJ figures.
How the scheme worked
- Conspirators posed as generals, philanthropists or entrepreneurs living outside the US.
- They met victims on Facebook, Instagram and similar platforms, then moved to WhatsApp or another encrypted app.
- They built romantic relationships and asked for money for charitable causes or sick family members.
- Akpieyi received victim funds at his Marietta home and moved them through his company, KGA Autobrokers, LLC; Hall deposited funds into Le Beau Monde LLC accounts and transferred them on, including to foreign banks in China and the United Arab Emirates.
The role of “money mules”
The case shows how victims' money is passed through ordinary-looking companies and US bank accounts before leaving the country. Nine victims testified at trial about total losses of over $3 million. One day, Akpieyi deposited two checks totalling $300,000 from one victim at two banks. The FBI New Orleans Field Office led the investigation.
Red flags for victims
- A “general” or philanthropist overseas who needs money for a cause.
- A move from public social media to encrypted chat within days.
- Requests to deposit or forward cheques, or pay a company instead of a person.
- Stories that grow whenever you stop paying.
If you were asked to receive or forward money for an online partner, you may be a mule without knowing it; read wire fraud explained and how to reverse a wire transfer scam. Also see romance scam red flags, and run our free digital footprint check to see what is exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sentences were handed down?
Kenneth Akpieyi got 300 months (25 years) and Emuobosan Hall got 96 months (8 years).
How much money was involved?
The DOJ says Akpieyi was responsible for over $3.5 million and Hall admitted $851,207. Local news reported nearly $10 million.
How many victims were there?
More than 30 women across the country, according to the DOJ.
How did they move the money?
Through accounts of companies they set up, then on to other banks, including in China and the United Arab Emirates.
Sources
- US Attorney's Office, E.D. Louisiana: Georgia residents sentenced in multi-million dollar romance scam (Jan 29, 2026)
- Fox 8 Live: Two scammers sentenced for targeting widows in $10 million romance fraud scheme (Feb 20, 2026)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- FTC ReportFraud