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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 US$9 million.
The 22-year-old brothers, who operated under the aliases Arrangement and Lancaster, respectively, entered their guilty pleas on October 13, 2026.
Their alleged 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 charge on October 20, 2026.
According to the US Department of Justice, the three defendants were involved in an international criminal network that targeted older Americans through dating websites and social media platforms between July 2024 and April 2026.
Court documents indicate that members of the network used false identities to build close relationships with victims, often presenting themselves as romantic partners. They allegedly gained the victims’ trust through fabricated stories before persuading them to transfer money into financial accounts controlled by members of the group.
Some of the money obtained through the scheme was subsequently transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations.
The scam 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 financial losses reported by victims exceeded US$9 million.
As part of their plea agreements, all 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 several 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 possible sentence of 20 years in prison. However, the final sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant legal factors.
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 forms part of the US Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, which focuses on combating financial fraud, abuse and scams targeting older people.