Three plead guilty in $9m romance scam that targeted elderly Americans
Three people have pleaded guilty in a federal court in Ohio to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a romance scam aimed at older Americans. Victims lost more than $9m in total.
The US attorney's office for the Northern District of Ohio announced on Monday that twin brothers from Ghana and an American woman have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The US Justice Department describes the case as a romance fraud scheme aimed at elderly people, with total victim losses above $9m.
The defendants are 22-year-old twins Jamal and Kamal Abubakari and 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie of Kula, Hawaii. According to the Justice Department, they targeted more than 130 victims in 25 US states, as well as in Germany and Austria.
How the scheme worked
Between July 2024 and April 2026, the trio and other co-conspirators approached older people on dating websites and social media. The Justice Department says they used fake personas to build close relationships that were often romantic. At times they used AI-driven video platforms to interact with victims while posing as women.
Victims, misled by false stories, then wired money to bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. Portions of the funds were passed on to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere. Court documents reviewed by news outlets say the money was claimed to be needed for medical emergencies, investment opportunities or travel costs to visit the victims.
Prosecutors wrote in the documents that victims are left with nothing to live on after a lifetime of work and saving, and feel ashamed and robbed of the trust they once had in other people.
Penalties and seized assets
Under their plea agreement, the three agreed to forfeit jewellery seized by investigators when they were arrested, including luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings. The maximum penalty is 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 February 2027 for the brothers and 10 February 2027 for Opoku-Boachie.
Other co-conspirators are awaiting extradition from Ghana, where seized assets estimated at more than $3m include a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW.
