Ghanaian Twin Brothers and Hawaii Woman Plead Guilty in $9 Million Romance Scam Targeting Older Americans

Published Oct. 27, 2026. Case statuses are current as of that date.

They met online, on dating websites and social media. The person on the other end seemed caring, attentive and, often, romantically interested. Then came the stories, and the requests for money. Federal prosecutors in Cleveland say that pattern cost mostly older victims in Ohio, 24 other states, Germany and Austria more than $9 million.

Three people have now admitted their part. Twin brothers from Ghana, Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, of Kula, Hawaii, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced on Oct. 26, 2026 [1].

Important: The three defendants named here have pleaded guilty but have not been sentenced. Anyone else involved in the network who has not been convicted is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

How the scam worked, step by step

According to allegations in court documents, as summarized by the U.S. Attorney's Office [1]:

1. Finding targets. From about July 2024 to April 2026, the conspirators targeted older Americans on dating websites and social media platforms.
2. Building a fake relationship. Using fake personas, members of the network built close, personal relationships with victims, often romantic in nature.
3. The story. Victims were "misled by false stories," prosecutors said, and persuaded to send money.
4. The wire. Victims sent money by wire transfer to financial accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy.
5. Moving the money overseas. Portions of the funds were passed on to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.

Collectively, prosecutors said, the victims lost more than $9 million. Victims in northern Ohio lived in Williams County; others lived in 24 other states and in Germany and Austria [1]. We do not identify any victims.

USA Today, citing court documents, reported that the reasons given for needing money included medical emergencies, investment opportunities and travel costs to visit the victims, and that in some cases the conspirators used AI-driven video to interact with victims under fake personas. The paper also reported, citing federal authorities, that more than 130 victims were defrauded and that other co-conspirators are awaiting extradition from Ghana [2]. Those details do not appear in the U.S. Attorney's Office release and are unconfirmed by us against the court filings.

As part of their pleas, the three defendants agreed to forfeit jewelry seized when they were arrested, including luxury timepieces, high-end watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings, according to the release [1].

The people who pleaded guilty and their status

Jamal Abubakari, also known as Jamal Abubakar and "Arrangement," 22. Pleaded guilty Oct. 13, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2027 [1].

Kamal Abubakari, also known as Kamal Abubakar and "Lancaster," 22. Pleaded guilty Oct. 13, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2027 [1].

Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, also known as Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, 53, of Kula, Hawaii. Pleaded guilty Oct. 20, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2027 [1].

Each faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. A federal judge will decide the sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. USA Today also reported the pleas on Oct. 26 [2].

The FBI's Cleveland Division led the investigation, with help from the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs and Ghanaian agencies including the Ghana Attorney General's Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the Ghana Police Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison are prosecuting the case [1].

The release refers to an "international criminal network" and co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere, but it does not name anyone else. The status of the co-conspirators USA Today reports are awaiting extradition is status pending.

Red flags of a romance scam

• An online match you have never met in person, who always has a reason a video call or visit can't happen.
• Fast, intense affection, often within days or weeks.
• A crisis that only money can fix: a medical emergency, a travel ticket to finally visit you, or an "investment opportunity."
• Video that seems off. Scammers can now use AI tools to fake live video, so a video chat alone does not prove someone is real.
• Requests to wire money to a bank account in someone else's name, or to a "friend" or "agent."
• Secrecy. Being told not to tell family, your bank or anyone else about the relationship or the money.
• A story that changes when you ask questions, followed by guilt or anger.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Stop sending money. No genuine partner needs you to wire funds to strangers' accounts.
2. Talk to someone you trust before you act: a relative, friend or your bank.
3. Call your bank right away if you have already wired money. Fast action sometimes allows a recall.
4. Report it to the FBI at IC3.gov and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Also report the profile to the dating site or social media platform.
5. For help with an older relative, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. The Justice Department also takes reports of elder financial abuse at justice.gov/elderjustice/financial-exploitation [1].
6. Expect follow-up scams. People who have lost money are often targeted again by fake "recovery" services. Real law enforcement will not charge you a fee to get your money back.

Case status (as of Oct. 27, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status	Source
Jamal Abubakari (aka Jamal Abubakar, "Arrangement"), 22	U.S. District Court, N.D. Ohio	Pleaded guilty Oct. 13, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; sentencing Feb. 9, 2027	[1]
Kamal Abubakari (aka Kamal Abubakar, "Lancaster"), 22	U.S. District Court, N.D. Ohio	Pleaded guilty Oct. 13, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; sentencing Feb. 9, 2027	[1]
Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie (aka Amanda Joy Glum, Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman), 53, of Kula, Hawaii	U.S. District Court, N.D. Ohio	Pleaded guilty Oct. 20, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; sentencing Feb. 10, 2027	[1]

Statuses can change. Any other members of the network have not been publicly named (status pending).

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio, "Three Plead Guilty to Roles in $9M Romance Fraud Scams Targeting Older Americans," Oct. 26, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/three-plead-guilty-roles-9m-romance-fraud-scams-targeting-older-americans
2. Marc Ramirez, "Romance scammers stole $9M from elderly to buy jewels, Lamborghini," USA Today, Oct. 26, 2026. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/10/26/trio-guilty-romance-fraud-targeting-elderly/92452223007/

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