Hollywood Heist: The Curious Case of Carl Torjagbo and His Star-Studded Fraud

From Hollywood Dreams to Courtroom Nightmares: The Comedic Fraud of Carl Delano Torjagbo

In a story that blends crime and deception with a dash of Hollywood flair, Carl Delano Torjagbo, a 50-year-old man from Marietta, Georgia, is facing serious consequences for his elaborate scheme that involved PPP loan fraud and the filing of fraudulent tax returns. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Torjagbo was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His case unravels a bizarre narrative where fictitious employees, some culled from the ranks of well-known celebrities and fictional characters, played a starring role in his criminal enterprise.

In February 2021, Torjagbo submitted fraudulent tax returns to the IRS, utilizing various Social Security numbers and differing birthdates to fabricate his identity and financial status. The extent of his deceit was revealed through U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg's account, which highlighted Torjagbo's false claim of over $3 million in tax withholdings. He purported to document substantial losses from his supposed gold-mining venture in Ghana, Kremkov Industries, which he claimed was a thriving business. This elaborate con led to the issuance of a U.S. Treasury check worth almost $3.4 million, a figure that reflects the lengths to which Torjagbo was willing to go in his efforts for financial gain.

The audacity of Torjagbo’s actions took a further turn when he submitted a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application for a staggering $9.5 million. In this application, he made sweeping declarations, claiming that Kremkov Industries had been operational since February 15, 2020, with an incredible workforce of close to 500 employees—most of whom he alleged resided in the United States. He even inflated his monthly payroll claims to nearly $4 million. But what truly captured the courtroom's attention was the comedic twist of his supposed employees; court records reveal that Torjagbo listed a range of celebrities and characters including Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, the beloved cartoon character Charlie Brown, Nancy Drew, John Snow from "Game of Thrones," and even Emilia Clarke. This bizarre mix of real and fictional names added a ludicrous element to an already outrageous fraud case.

As a result of these fabricated claims, Torjagbo was able to receive over $9.5 million in PPP loan proceeds from a bank, funds he reportedly used for personal expenses, paying off debts, and purchasing lavish items, including a mansion in Marietta. His fraudulent lifestyle ultimately caught up with him; by July 2025, a jury found him guilty of bank fraud, wire fraud, and several counts of money laundering, culminating in a sentence of 14 years and 7 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay approximately $3.3 million in restitution and to forfeit assets acquired through his illicit activities.

The case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of financial fraud not only for the individuals involved but for the economy and public trust as a whole. The use of familiar names from the celebrity realm in Torjagbo's fraudulent documents raised eyebrows, provoking speculation about the involvement of these figures in the scandal—though they, in fact, had no connection to his schemes. As the story continues to develop, it underscores the importance of vigilance against financial fraud, especially in times of widespread economic uncertainty.

In a world where the line between truth and fiction can sometimes blur, Torjagbo's misadventure illustrates the lengths some individuals will go to chase after wealth, using even the names of the rich and famous as props in their deceitful productions. His tale of greed serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for criminal behavior to intersect with the glittery allure of celebrity culture, leaving a wake of repercussions that can impact both public trust and legal systems. The pop culture references in his fraudulent claims, while absurd, demonstrate a unique intersection of modern life, celebrity obsession, and crime, inviting us to reflect on what happens when ambition spirals into illegality.