Ghanaian twin brothers plead guilty in US romance fraud case involving $9m losses

Two Ghanaian twin brothers have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the United States in connection with an international romance fraud network that defrauded victims of more than $9 million.

Jamal Abubakari, 22, and his twin brother, Kamal Abubakari, 22, entered their guilty pleas on October 13, while Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, of Kula, Hawaii, pleaded guilty to the same charge on October 20, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

The three defendants were indicted in May on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

Prosecutors said the defendants and their alleged accomplices targeted older Americans through dating websites and social media between July 2024 and April 2026.

The network allegedly used fake identities to build relationships with victims, often posing as romantic partners before inventing stories to persuade them to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by members of the group.

Some of the proceeds were subsequently transferred to accomplices in Ghana and other locations, the US Attorney's Office said.

The alleged scheme resulted in losses exceeding $9 million among victims in Williams County, Ohio, 24 other US states, Germany and Austria.

The Abubakari brothers are also known by the aliases “Arrangement” and “Lancaster”, respectively, according to prosecutors.

As part of their guilty pleas, all three defendants agreed to forfeit jewellery seized during their arrests. The items included luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.

Related cases result in 50 years of prison sentences

The prosecution forms part of a series of related cases involving romance fraud networks linked to Ghana, which are being coordinated before a single US District Judge.

According to prosecutors, nine defendants in related cases have already pleaded guilty and received prison sentences totalling approximately 50 years.

Each of the three defendants faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Their actual sentences will be determined by a federal judge after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.

The Abubakari brothers are scheduled to be sentenced on February 9, 2027, while Opoku-Boachie is expected to appear for sentencing on February 10, 2027.

Ghanaian agencies assist US investigation

The FBI's Cleveland Division led the investigation, with assistance from the US Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio said.

US Attorney David M. Toepfer acknowledged the support of several law enforcement agencies and partners, including Ghana's Attorney General's Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service and the Cyber Security Authority.

Other agencies involved included Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the US State Department, the FBI's Washington Field Office and its Legal Attaché Office in Accra, as well as the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Assistant US Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison are prosecuting the case.

The prosecution is part of the US Justice Department's Elder Justice Initiative, established under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017.