Ghana: Ghanaian Twins, American Face 20-Year Jail Term Over $9m Romance Fraud

What the report says

Two Ghanaian twin brothers and a woman from Hawaii are set to be sentenced in federal court in Ohio after pleading guilty in a romance fraud case that prosecutors say took in more than $9 million. The report, published by Ghanaian Times and distributed by AllAfrica, says Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, admitted to wire fraud on October 13, 2026. Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, pleaded guilty a week later and is scheduled for sentencing on February 10, 2027.

According to court documents cited in the article, the scheme ran from about July 2024 to April 2026 and targeted older adults through dating websites and social media. The defendants allegedly used false identities to build romantic relationships, then persuaded victims to send money by wire transfer to accounts linked to the conspiracy. The victims were said to include people in 25 U.S. states, as well as Germany and Austria.

The article says the three face maximum prison terms of 20 years each, though the final sentence will be decided by a federal judge after review of sentencing guidelines and other factors. It also notes that investigators seized jewelry and luxury items tied to the case, which the defendants agreed to forfeit under their plea deals.

The investigation involved the FBI’s Cleveland Division and several U.S. agencies, with Ghanaian authorities also assisting. The case highlights the international nature of online fraud and the role of cross-border cooperation in pursuing such schemes.