Ghanaian twin brothers plead guilty in US $9m romance scam

Ghanaian twin brothers Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari have pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in an international romance scam that defrauded victims of more than $9 million.

The 22-year-olds, who operated under the aliases Arrangement and Lancaster, respectively, entered their guilty pleas on 13 October, 2026, according to the US Department of Justice.

Their co-conspirator, 53-year-old American woman Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, also known as Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, pleaded guilty to the same offence on 20 October, 2026.

The three were part of an international criminal network accused of targeting older Americans through dating websites and social media platforms between July 2024 and April 2026.

Court documents indicate that members of the network created false identities to establish close relationships with their victims, often presenting themselves as romantic partners.

After gaining the victims’ trust, the conspirators allegedly used fabricated stories to persuade them to transfer money into financial accounts controlled by members of the network.

Some of the proceeds were subsequently channelled to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.

The scheme affected victims across 25 US states, as well as Germany and Austria. In northern Ohio, some of the victims were residents of Edgerton in Williams County.

The total losses recorded by victims exceeded $9 million.

As part of their plea agreements, the three defendants have agreed to forfeit jewellery seized during their arrests. The items include luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Division, with support from the US Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and law enforcement agencies in Ghana and the United States.

Ghanaian institutions involved in the investigation included the Attorney-General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Narcotics Control Commission, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Ghana Immigration Service and the National Intelligence Bureau.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if sentenced to the maximum penalty. Their actual sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account the US Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant legal considerations.

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.

The case falls under the US Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, which coordinates efforts to combat financial fraud, abuse and scams targeting older people.

AsaaseRadio