Cleveland:Twin brothers from Ghana and an American woman have admitted to participating in an international criminal network that carried out romance fraud schemes, primarily targeting older Americans. Victims were located in Edgarton, Ohio, as well as 24 other states, Germany, and Austria.
According to Ghana Web, the defendants, Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. The Abubakari brothers entered their pleas on October 13, while Opoku-Boachie, from Kula, Hawaii, pleaded guilty on October 20, 2026.
Court documents allege that between July 2024 and April 2026, the group used dating websites and social media to perpetrate romance frauds, establishing fake personas to form personal and often romantic relationships with victims. These victims were then deceived into sending money via wire transfers to accounts controlled by the conspirators, resulting in losses exceeding $9 million.
As part of their plea agreements, the defendants agreed to forfeit jewelry, including luxury watches and other high-end items, seized at the time of their arrests. The FBI Cleveland Division spearheaded the investigation, with significant help from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer acknowledged the support from international and national partners, including various Ghanaian agencies and multiple U.S. governmental departments and offices. The prosecution in the Northern District of Ohio is led by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison.
Each defendant faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing for the Abubakari brothers is set for February 9, 2027, with Opoku-Boachie's sentencing scheduled for February 10, 2027. The investigation and prosecution are part of the Elder Justice Initiative Program, stemming from the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017, aimed at combating elder abuse and financial fraud.