Africa Live News | International News
Two Ghanaian brothers have pleaded guilty in the United States over their involvement in an international online romance fraud scheme that caused victims to lose more than $9 million, bringing the case closer to the sentencing stage.
Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, both aged 22, admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in proceedings connected to an operation that allegedly used fake identities and fabricated romantic relationships to obtain money from unsuspecting individuals.
The brothers entered their guilty pleas on October 13, 2026. Their co-defendant, 53-year-old American woman Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, who has also used the names Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, pleaded guilty to the same offence on October 20.
The case involves victims in the United States and Europe, with investigators tracing the scheme to an international network that allegedly exploited online communication platforms to establish relationships with people before persuading them to transfer funds.
According to details released by American authorities, the operation was active between July 2024 and April 2026. Older Americans were among those targeted through dating websites and social media platforms.
The fraud reportedly began with the creation of false online identities. Members of the network allegedly used these identities to communicate with victims and develop relationships that appeared genuine. In some instances, the interactions were presented as romantic relationships, allowing the perpetrators to gain the victims’ confidence.
Once that trust had been established, the victims were allegedly given fabricated explanations intended to persuade them to provide financial assistance.
The transfers were directed to accounts controlled by members of the network, according to court information. Some of the proceeds were subsequently moved to associates in Ghana and other locations, reflecting the international reach of the operation.
The total losses reported by victims exceeded $9 million. The scale of the financial damage highlights the potential consequences of fraud schemes that combine online deception with the movement of money across national borders.
Victims were identified in 25 US states, while Germany and Austria were also affected. In northern Ohio, residents of Edgerton in Williams County were among those reportedly targeted.
The geographical spread of the victims presented investigators with a case involving multiple locations and international links. Such investigations can require cooperation between agencies responsible for gathering evidence, tracing financial transactions and identifying individuals suspected of participating in the movement of illicit proceeds.
The guilty pleas represent an important development in the prosecution. However, the defendants’ final sentences will be determined by the federal court after consideration of the relevant legal requirements.
Jewellery seized during arrests
As part of their plea agreements, the three defendants have agreed to forfeit jewellery seized during their arrests.
The items include luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings. The forfeiture forms part of the agreements reached with prosecutors as the case moves towards sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Division, with assistance from the US Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and several other law enforcement agencies.
Ghanaian authorities also contributed to the investigation, demonstrating the importance of cooperation between the two countries in addressing suspected criminal activity that crosses borders.
The Ghanaian institutions acknowledged for their assistance include the Attorney-General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service and the Cyber Security Authority.
Other agencies involved were the Narcotics Control Commission, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Ghana Immigration Service and the National Intelligence Bureau.
American agencies that supported the investigation included Homeland Security Investigations, US Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra was also among those acknowledged.
The cooperation between the agencies was important to an investigation involving alleged fraud, financial transfers and individuals operating across different jurisdictions.
Sentencing awaits
Jamal and Kamal Abubakari are expected to appear for sentencing on February 9, 2027, while Opoku-Boachie’s sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2027.
Each defendant faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The maximum penalty, however, is not an indication that all three will receive the same sentence or that they will automatically be imprisoned for the full period.
A federal district court judge will determine the appropriate punishment after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant legal factors.
The prosecution forms part of the US Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, which coordinates efforts to address crimes involving the abuse and financial exploitation of older people.
The initiative reflects broader efforts by American authorities to investigate offences that leave older people financially vulnerable, including scams in which perpetrators exploit personal relationships or emotional connections to obtain money.
Online relationships and financial risks
The case also draws attention to the need for caution when building relationships with people met through dating applications and social media.
Online platforms allow people to communicate across countries and form personal connections, but they can also be exploited by individuals who conceal their identities or misrepresent their circumstances.
Romance fraud can involve prolonged communication designed to establish trust before a financial request is introduced. A perpetrator may claim to be facing an emergency, experiencing financial difficulties or requiring assistance with a transaction.
Victims may send money because they believe they are helping someone with whom they have developed a genuine personal relationship. In fraudulent situations, however, the identity and circumstances presented by the other party may be fabricated.
Financial and law enforcement agencies generally advise internet users to verify identities independently, avoid sending money to people they have never met or cannot reliably verify, and be wary of repeated requests supported by urgent or unverifiable explanations.
The reported losses in this case illustrate the financial consequences that can follow when online relationships are manipulated for criminal purposes.
For Ghana, the involvement of local institutions in the investigation also underlines the role of international law enforcement cooperation in addressing alleged financial crimes with links to the country.
With the three defendants having entered guilty pleas, attention will now turn to the federal court’s sentencing decisions in February 2027.
The case remains a reminder that online fraud can affect victims in several countries and that investigators may need to work across jurisdictions to pursue those responsible and establish the movement of funds.
