Ghanaian Twin Brothers and American Woman Plead Guilty in Massive $9 Million Cyber Romance Fraud Scheme

Two 22-year-old twin brothers from Ghana and a 53-year-old American woman have pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in an international cyber-criminal network that fleeced elderly victims out of over $9 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced that the trio admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after systematically manipulating vulnerable individuals through online dating websites and social media platforms. The complex cross-border operation left more than 130 victims emotionally and financially devastated across 25 U.S. states, as well as parts of Europe.

Federal court documents identify the twin brothers as Jamal Abubakari (also known as "Arrangement") and Kamal Abubakari (also known as "Lancaster"). Working alongside their stateside co-conspirator, Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie of Kula, Hawaii, the network operated between July 2024 and April 2026. The syndicate targeted older adults—frequently widows, divorcees, and retirees—by creating highly polished fake online personas to simulate genuine, close personal relationships that rapidly escalated into intense, fabricated romances.

To maintain the deceptive illusions over extended periods, the criminal network employed sophisticated technological tactics. Prosecutors revealed that the defendants went as far as using artificial intelligence-driven video platforms to impersonate fictitious female personas during live video interactions. Once total emotional trust was secured, the scammers deployed fabricated emergencies—ranging from urgent medical crises and fake business investments to fictitious travel fees required to visit the victims in person—to manipulate the targets into wiring substantial funds.

The financial fallout from the scheme has been catastrophic for the targets involved, many of whom reside in Northern Ohio’s Williams County. Assistant U.S. Attorneys leading the prosecution noted that several elderly victims were systematically stripped of their entire life savings, leaving them with absolutely nothing to sustain their retirement years. Beyond the immense financial devastation, federal authorities highlighted the deep psychological harm inflicted on the victims, who were left burdened by intense shame and a profound loss of trust in others.

As part of their structured plea agreements, the Abubakari brothers and Opoku-Boachie have agreed to forfeit millions of dollars in luxury items seized by federal agents during their arrests in Virginia. The confiscated assets include high-end designer jewelry, luxury watches, rings, chains, earrings, and custom medallions purchased with stolen victim funds. Meanwhile, international law enforcement agencies continue working to seize an array of foreign assets tied to the broader ring, including luxury sports cars like a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, and high-end models from Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The successful prosecution stands as a major victory for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, which aggressively targets financial exploitation hitting the nation's aging population under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act. The massive investigation was spearheaded by the FBI’s Cleveland Division, working in seamless cooperation with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. Crucially, the operation relied heavily on collaborative enforcement with Ghanaian state security organs, including the Ghana Police Service, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA).

All three defendants now face a maximum legal penalty of up to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge John Adams will hand down the final prison sentences in early 2027 following a comprehensive review of the statutory sentencing guidelines. Sentencing for the twin brothers is officially set for February 9, 2027, while their American partner, Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, is scheduled to receive her judgment the following day on February 10, 2027.