Ghanaian twins plead guilty in romance fraud
Twin brothers and a Hawaii woman admitted to a scheme that extracted over $9 million from 130 victims across 25 states.
By Karan Meyer ·
Federal prosecutors in the northern district of Ohio secured guilty pleas from three individuals in a multi-year wire fraud conspiracy on Monday. The group targeted older Americans on dating sites, extracting more than $9 million through fabricated romantic relationships.
The defendants are Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, twin brothers from Ghana who are both 22, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, a 53-year-old resident of Kula, Hawaii. They admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud as part of an operation that ran from July 2024 through April 2026.
Prosecutors stated the scheme reached more than 130 victims in 25 states, as well as in Germany and Austria. The group used artificial intelligence video platforms to create fictitious female personas. These digital avatars built trust with older victims before convincing them to send funds for medical emergencies, travel expenses, or investment opportunities.
According to court documents, the defendants controlled bank accounts that received the wired money. Portions of those funds were then transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations. The Justice Department noted that victims lost lifetime savings, leaving them with nothing to sustain their lives.
In a statement, prosecutors highlighted the emotional toll on the targets. They said individual victims felt ashamed and deprived of the trust they once placed in other people. The plea agreement requires the three defendants to forfeit jewelry seized during their arrests, including luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions, and earrings.
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing for the Abubakari brothers is set for February 9, 2027, while Opoku-Boachie is scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, 2027.
Other alleged co-conspirators are currently awaiting extradition from Ghana. The Justice Department reported that assets seized in that country are valued at more than $3 million. These items include a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz, and a BMW.
Source: The Guardian
