Twin brothers from Ghana and a woman from Hawaii have pleaded guilty to their roles in an international romance fraud scheme that prosecutors say caused more than US$9 million in losses to victims, most of whom were older Americans. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The United States Department of Justice announced the guilty pleas on October 26, 2026, identifying the brothers as 22-year-old Jamal Abubakari, also known as “Arrangement,” and Kamal Abubakari, known as “Lancaster.”
Their co-defendant, 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, also known as Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, is from Kula, Hawaii.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, all three defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The Abubakari brothers entered their pleas on October 13, while Opoku-Boachie pleaded guilty on October 20, 2026. The case centres on a scheme that allegedly exploited online relationships to persuade victims to send money to members of the criminal network.
How the alleged romance fraud operated
Court documents cited by US prosecutors indicate that the scheme operated from approximately July 2024 to April 2026.
During that period, the defendants allegedly worked with other individuals to approach older Americans through dating websites and social media platforms.
The network allegedly used false identities to establish close personal relationships with victims, many of which appeared romantic.
After gaining their trust, the perpetrators reportedly presented fabricated stories that persuaded victims to transfer money through wire services to financial accounts controlled by members of the group.
Prosecutors said some of the money was subsequently transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.
The scheme allegedly generated losses exceeding US$9 million, affecting victims in Edgerton, Williams County, Ohio, and 24 other US states, as well as Germany and Austria.
The case highlights how romance fraud can exploit emotional vulnerability and the desire for companionship.
Fraudsters may spend considerable time communicating with victims, creating the impression of a genuine relationship before introducing financial emergencies, investment opportunities or other requests for money.
Sources reported on the initial indictment in May 2026, when the three individuals were accused of participating in a romance fraud and money-laundering network.
The latest guilty pleas mark a significant development in the case, moving it beyond the initial allegations to formal admissions of guilt on the wire-fraud conspiracy charge.
Luxury jewellery to be forfeited
As part of their plea agreements, the three defendants agreed to forfeit jewellery seized by investigators when they were arrested. The items include luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings. Corrections Policy
The forfeiture forms part of the legal proceedings connected to the case. However, the Department of Justice announcement did not provide a complete valuation of the seized items or state that the jewellery alone would cover the victims’ losses.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Division, with assistance from several United States and Ghanaian agencies.
These included Ghana’s Attorney General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Financial Intelligence Centre and the Ghana Immigration Service.
The cooperation between agencies in both countries reflects the cross-border nature of the alleged scheme, particularly where victims, bank accounts, suspects and the movement of funds are located in different jurisdictions.
Possible prison sentences
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The maximum penalty is not an indication of the sentence they will necessarily receive.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, a federal district court judge will determine the sentences after considering the applicable sentencing guidelines and relevant statutory factors.
The Abubakari brothers are scheduled to be sentenced on February 9, 2027, while Opoku-Boachie’s sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2027. Further court proceedings will determine the penalties imposed in each case.
The prosecution forms part of broader US efforts to combat financial exploitation, particularly schemes targeting older adults. Editorial Standards
The Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative supports enforcement efforts against abuse, neglect and financial fraud involving elderly people.
Warning for online dating users
The case also serves as a reminder for people using online dating services and social media to exercise caution when financial requests arise in relationships formed online.
Warning signs can include a person who repeatedly avoids meeting in person, invents emergencies requiring urgent payments, asks for money through wire transfers or requests financial details.
Requests to keep a relationship secret or to move conversations away from established platforms may also warrant closer scrutiny.
People who suspect they are being targeted should avoid sending money, preserve messages and transaction records, and report the matter to the relevant authorities or financial institution.
The guilty pleas in the US$9 million case mark an important stage in the prosecution of the network.
With sentencing scheduled for February 2027, attention will now turn to the court’s determination of the penalties and the wider effort to protect victims from online financial exploitation.