The three defendants admitted to targeting mostly older Americans through fake online identities, with victims across 25 U.S. states, Germany, and Austria losing more than $9 million.

Ghanaian twin brothers Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, a United States citizen, have pleaded guilty to their roles in an international romance fraud network that caused victims to lose more than $9 million.

How the $9 million romance scam worked

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the scheme operated from about July 2024 to April 2026 and targeted mostly older people through dating websites and social media.

The defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly used fake personas to build close relationships with victims, often presenting themselves as romantic partners. They then allegedly used fabricated stories to persuade victims to transfer money to accounts controlled by members of the network.

Some of the proceeds were then sent to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.

The victims included people in Ohio and 24 other U.S. states, as well as Germany and Austria.

Guilty pleas and sentencing dates

Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, who used the aliases “Arrangement” and “Lancaster,” respectively, pleaded guilty on Oct. 13. Opoku-Boachie, of Kula, Hawaii, pleaded guilty on Oct. 20.

Each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The Abubakari brothers are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 9, 2027, and Opoku-Boachie on Feb. 10.

The three defendants have agreed to forfeit jewelry seized during their arrests, including luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions, and earrings.

Ghanaian and U.S. authorities worked together

The FBI’s Cleveland division led the investigation, with assistance from U.S. and Ghanaian law enforcement agencies, including Ghana’s Attorney General’s Office, Economic and Organized Crime Office, and Police Service.

The prosecution is part of a U.S. Justice Department initiative targeting financial fraud against older people.