Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
By African360 News
Two Ghanaian twin brothers and an American woman have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in an international romance fraud scheme that caused victims to lose more than $9 million.
The defendants, identified as 22-year-old Jamal Abubakari and his twin brother, Kamal Abubakari, alongside 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie of Hawaii, entered their guilty pleas in October 2026, according to the US Department of Justice.
Jamal pleaded guilty on October 13, while Kamal entered his plea on the same date. Opoku-Boachie pleaded guilty on October 20. The case is being prosecuted in the Northern District of Ohio.
How the scheme operated
According to court documents, the defendants and their alleged accomplices targeted older people through dating websites and social media platforms between July 2024 and April 2026.
The network allegedly used false identities to build close personal relationships with victims, often presenting themselves as romantic partners. Victims were then persuaded to transfer money through wire transfers to financial accounts controlled by members of the network.
Prosecutors say the victims collectively lost more than $9 million, with portions of the proceeds transferred to accomplices in Ghana and elsewhere.
Victims across the US and Europe
Although the case was brought in Ohio, the alleged scheme affected people in 24 other US states, as well as Germany and Austria.
The defendants are also known by several aliases. Jamal Abubakari used the names Jamal Abubakar and “Arrangement,” while Kamal Abubakari was also known as Kamal Abubakar and “Lancaster.” Opoku-Boachie used the names Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman.
Jewellery to be forfeited
As part of their plea agreements, the three defendants agreed to forfeit jewellery seized during their arrests. The items included luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.
Each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison. The final sentences will be determined by a federal judge after considering the relevant sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.
The Abubakari brothers are scheduled to be sentenced on February 9, 2027, while Opoku-Boachie is scheduled for sentencing on February 10, 2027.
US crackdown on romance fraud
The case comes amid increased US law-enforcement efforts to tackle online fraud schemes targeting older people, including networks with alleged links to Ghana.
In a separate case, Ghanaian social media personality Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has faced US charges relating to an alleged romance fraud scheme. Kumi has denied the charges against him. The case is separate from the proceedings involving the Abubakari brothers and Opoku-Boachie.
The US Department of Justice says the prosecution forms part of its broader efforts to combat financial fraud and exploitation targeting older people.
African360 WhatsApp Channel for more News update: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7Oc6nGk1FpdCN0xn44
