News Summary
Kenneth G. Akpieyi, a Georgia resident, was convicted on multiple charges for orchestrating a large-scale online romance scam that defrauded women across the U.S. Akpieyi, using a fake identity, targeted victims through social media and coerced them into sending money under false pretenses. The scheme resulted in losses exceeding $3 million for the victims involved. His sentencing is scheduled for November 2025, and he faces severe penalties under federal law.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Kenneth G. Akpieyi, a 44-year-old resident of Georgia, was convicted in a federal court on July 25 for his role in a multi-million dollar online romance scam targeting women across the United States. Akpieyi faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and mail fraud, all of which he was found guilty of in the Louisiana federal court.
The case has uncovered a sophisticated scheme where Akpieyi allegedly operated under the alias “Phillip Anderson.” Using social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, he, along with accomplices dubbed “fake Romeos,” created fictitious identities to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims. After developing online relationships, the scammers would move their interactions to encrypted platforms, like WhatsApp, to further deceive victims into believing in the authenticity of their romantic connections.
Victims were eventually coerced into sending significant sums of money under various fraudulent pretenses, including requests for assistance with fictitious charitable causes or to help alleged sick family members. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Akpieyi played a pivotal role in this romance scheme, which has reportedly resulted in total losses exceeding $3 million for the eight victims who testified against him.
Akpieyi allegedly used his company, KGA Autobrokers, LLC, as a channel to funnel and obscure financial transactions across various bank accounts, augmenting the deceit and complicating the tracking of fraudulent activities. The elaborate nature of the scam and Akpieyi’s central involvement have raised concerns over the prevalence of online romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals.
The sentencing for Akpieyi has been scheduled for November 5, 2025, with federal laws imposing severe penalties for his crimes. The maximum potential penalties include up to 20 years in prison for each count of mail fraud or conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, along with a maximum fine of $250,000. For the conspiracy to commit money laundering charge, Akpieyi faces a similar maximum prison sentence of 20 years with a hefty fine of $500,000. Furthermore, he may also be subject to up to three years of supervised release following his imprisonment and a $100 special assessment fee for each count of conviction.
This case highlights an ongoing and troubling issue of online fraud, particularly targeting individuals seeking romantic relationships. The rise of social media has created new avenues for scammers, making it increasingly important for individuals to remain vigilant when engaging with potential partners online. The fraudulent practices employed by Akpieyi and his associates serve as a cautionary tale for those navigating the complexities of online dating and interpersonal connections in the digital age.
Law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize the need for awareness and caution among internet users and urge anyone who suspects they may be targeted by such scams to report their experiences to authorities. The conviction of Akpieyi may serve as a significant step toward deterring similar scams in the future.
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HERE Resources
Georgia Man Convicted in Multi-Million Dollar Romance Scam
Additional Resources
- Shreveport Times: Romance Scam Conviction
- KSLA: Alleged Bank Fraud
- KTAL News: Phone Scam Warning
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Multiple Scams in Louisiana
- Shreveport Times: Common Medicare Scams
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Google Search: Romance Scams
- Google Scholar: Online Fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Scam
- Google News: Romance Scams
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
