Twin brothers and woman guilty in $9m romance scam

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 17:20 · Archive

Twin brothers from Ghana and an American woman pleaded guilty to defrauding elderly people of $9m through fake online relationships.

Twin brothers Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, from Ghana and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, from Hawaii have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The US attorney's office in the northern district of Ohio announced the guilty pleas on Monday.

The trio targeted more than 130 elderly people across 25 US states, Germany and Austria between July 2024 and April 2026. They used fake identities on dating websites and social media to establish romantic relationships with their victims. According to the justice department, they sometimes used artificial intelligence-driven video platforms to engage victims under fictitious female personas. They then persuaded victims to wire money to bank accounts controlled by the conspiracy, claiming they needed funds for medical emergencies, investment opportunities or travel fees.

Victims collectively lost $9m (£6.7m). Prosecutors noted that victims were left with 'absolutely nothing to sustain their lives going forward after a lifetime of work and saving' and were 'ashamed and deprived of the trust they once had in their fellow human beings'. As part of the plea, the three agreed to forfeit seized jewellery including luxury watches, rings, chains and earrings.

The trio face up to 20 years in prison and will be sentenced next year. The case comes as US authorities have stepped up efforts against criminal networks operating across the US and West Africa targeting elderly Americans.

How it is being reported

• Three plead guilty in $9m romance fraud scam targeting elderly AmericansTwin brothers, 22, from Ghana and a 53-year-old American woman targeted older adults in 25 US states, officials say Three people have pleaded guilty in a $9m romance fraud scam that targeted elderly Americans. On Monday, the US attorney’s office in the northern district of Ohio announced that twin brothers from Ghana and an American woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Continue reading...Guardian World · 28 Oct, 16:57
• Ghanaian twin brothers and US woman plead guilty to $9m romance scamThe group targeted elderly people across US and Europe, luring them into romantic relationship before persuading them to transfer large sums of money.BBC World · 27 Oct, 18:43

In this story: Jamal Abubakari · Kamal Abubakari · Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie · Ghana · Hawaii · Ohio · Germany · Austria

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log