Three plead guilty in $9m romance fraud scam targeting elderly Americans

Three people have pleaded guilty to a $9 million romance fraud scam that targeted elderly Americans across 25 US states and even reached as far as Germany and Austria. The accused are twin brothers from Ghana, named Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and their American accomplice, Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53. The trio allegedly engaged in conspiracy to commit wire fraud from July 2024 to April 2026, targeting over 130 victims through dating websites and social media platforms.

They fabricated personas, often of a romantic nature, to establish deep relationships with their victims, as per the US attorney's office in the northern district of Ohio. The Abubakaris and Opoku-Boachie reportedly used AI-driven video platforms to communicate with the victims under false female identities. Once the victims were convinced by fabricated stories, they sent money to the scam members' accounts, with some funds also reaching co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.

The victims were lured into believing they needed the money for medical emergencies, investment opportunities, or travel fees to visit their supposed partners. Prosecutors described the victims' losses as devastating, leaving them without the means to sustain their lives after years of hard work and saving. In addition, the victims suffered significant emotional trauma, including feelings of shame and loss of trust in humanity.

The trio agreed to forfeit jewelry, including luxury timepieces, high-end watches, rings, chains, medallions, and earrings, as part of their plea deal. They face up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 9 and 10, 2027, for the brothers and Opoku-Boachie, respectively. Other co-conspirators are currently being extradited from Ghana, where seized assets estimated to be worth over $3 million included a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz, and a BMW.