US Charges Ghanaian Twin Brothers, American Woman in Elderly Romance Scam Case
- May 15
- 2 min read
United States federal authorities have charged two Ghanaian twin brothers and an American woman over their alleged roles in a large-scale international romance fraud and money laundering operation that reportedly targeted elderly victims across the country.
The accused — 22-year-old Jamal Abubakari, also known as “Arrangement,” his twin brother Kamal Abubakari, also known as “Lancaster,” and 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie — were named in a federal indictment recently unsealed by prosecutors.
According to investigators, the trio was arrested in Virginia and remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
Prosecutors alleged that between July 2024 and April 2026, the suspects participated in a coordinated online fraud network that used fake identities on dating sites and social media platforms to establish romantic relationships with older Americans.
Authorities said victims were emotionally manipulated into sending money after being presented with fabricated emergencies, financial hardships, and other deceptive stories. Investigators further claimed that some of the funds obtained from victims were transferred to associates located in Ghana and other countries.
The charges against the defendants include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
Officials described the case as part of a wider federal crackdown on romance fraud syndicates allegedly linked to Ghanaian-based networks. Prosecutors revealed that several related investigations have already resulted in convictions, prison sentences, and restitution orders amounting to millions of dollars.
Authorities noted that multiple defendants connected to similar schemes have either pleaded guilty or are awaiting sentencing in ongoing cases being handled by a U.S. District Judge overseeing the related prosecutions.
Among those previously sentenced in connected investigations are individuals accused of helping move fraudulent proceeds through bank accounts and laundering money obtained from elderly scam victims.
The FBI Cleveland Division led the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and collaborating agencies in both the United States and Ghana.
Federal prosecutors stated that if convicted, the newly charged defendants could face penalties determined by the court based on factors such as their criminal histories, involvement in the scheme, and the scale of the alleged offences.
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