Ghanaian twin brothers plead guilty in $9m US romance scam

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 caused victims to lose more than $9 million.

The 22-year-old brothers, who operated under the aliases Arrangement and Lancaster, respectively, entered their guilty pleas on October 13, 2026, according to information from the US Department of Justice.

Their 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 offence on October 20, 2026.

The three defendants were linked to an international criminal network accused of targeting older Americans through dating websites and social media platforms between July 2024 and April 2026.

How the $9m international romance scam worked

Court documents indicate that members of the network allegedly created fake identities to establish close personal relationships with victims, often making the relationships appear romantic.

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After gaining the victims' trust, the conspirators used fabricated stories to persuade them to transfer money into financial accounts controlled by members of the group.

Some of the proceeds were subsequently transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations, according to the US Department of Justice.

The scheme affected victims across 25 US states, as well as Germany and Austria. In northern Ohio, some of those affected lived in Edgerton, a community in Williams County.

The total financial losses reported by victims exceeded $9 million.

Defendants agree to forfeit jewellery.

As part of their plea agreements, the three defendants have agreed to forfeit jewellery seized during their arrests.

The items include luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.

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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.

A maximum sentence is not a prediction of the punishment each defendant will receive.

Ghanaian agencies assist US investigation.

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 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 and the Cyber Security Authority.

Other agencies that provided support were the Narcotics Control Commission, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Ghana Immigration Service and the National Intelligence Bureau.

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The cooperation between authorities in Ghana and the United States formed part of the international effort to investigate the alleged fraud network and trace its proceeds.

When will the Ghanaian twins be sentenced?

The Abubakari brothers are scheduled to appear for sentencing on February 9, 2027, while Opoku-Boachie's sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2027.

The case falls under the US Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative, which coordinates efforts to combat financial fraud, abuse and scams targeting older people.

The guilty pleas mark a significant development in a case involving alleged online deception, cross-border financial transfers and victims across several countries.

The case also highlights the risks associated with romance scams, in which criminals exploit trust and emotional connections to persuade victims to send money.

People using dating websites and social media platforms are advised to exercise caution when online acquaintances request money, particularly when they have never met in person or when the requests involve urgent financial emergencies.