Ghanaian Twins and US Woman Plead Guilty in $9 Million Romance Scam
International network targeted elderly individuals across the U.S. and Europe.
Twin brothers from Ghana and an American woman have pleaded guilty to federal charges for their roles in an international criminal network that defrauded individuals through romance scams. The group is accused of swindling victims out of approximately $9 million between July 2024 and April 2026.
Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, from Hawaii, have entered guilty pleas. They are part of a larger network that targeted elderly people in the United States and Europe by using fake identities on dating sites and social media platforms. The perpetrators lured victims into believing they were in romantic relationships before persuading them to send large sums of money.
The investigation revealed that many victims were located in Ohio, where the charges were filed, but the scam also impacted individuals in 24 other U.S. states, as well as Germany and Austria.
As part of their plea agreements, the Abubakari brothers and Opoku-Boachie have consented to forfeit various pieces of jewelry, including luxury watches, rings, chains, and earrings, which were seized by investigators at the time of their arrests.
The sentencing for the three individuals is scheduled for next year. They each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.