Three plead guilty in $9 million romance fraud targeting elderly Americans: Ghanaian twins and a Hawaii woman

Three people have pleaded guilty in a romance fraud case in the United States in which elderly citizens were targeted and more than $9 million was taken. The US attorney's office for the northern district of Ohio announced the information on Monday.

Those who pleaded guilty are twin brothers from Ghana, Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, of Kula, Hawaii. Officials said they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to the justice department, the group targeted more than 130 victims in 25 US states, as well as in Germany and Austria.

From July 2024 to April 2026, older Americans were contacted on dating websites and social media platforms. The justice department said the defendants conspired with others to use fake personas to establish close, personal relationships with victims, which were often romantic in nature.

At times, artificial intelligence-driven video platforms were also used to engage victims under fictitious female personas, the justice department said.

Misled by false stories, victims wired money to bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. Portions of the funds were also distributed to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.

According to court documents, the group said the money was needed for medical emergencies, investment opportunities or travel fees to visit the victims.

Prosecutors said in the documents that victims reported being left with absolutely nothing to sustain their lives after a lifetime of work and saving. The documents also noted that individual victims were ashamed and deprived of the trust they once had in other people.

In total, the victims lost more than $9 million, according to the justice department.

As part of their plea agreement, the three agreed to forfeit jewellery seized by investigators at the time of their arrests, including luxury timepieces and high-end watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.

They face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Sentencing for the brothers is scheduled for 9 February 2027, and for Opoku-Boachie on 10 February 2027.

Other co-conspirators are awaiting extradition from Ghana, where seized assets estimated to be worth more than $3 million include a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW, the justice department said.