Ghanaian twin brothers and US woman plead guilty to $9m romance scam

Victims across the US and Europe lost a total of $9m (£6.7m) to an international romance scam orchestrated by a group including Ghanaian twin brothers and an American woman.

The defendants, 22-year-old twins Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, and 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie from Hawaii, have entered guilty pleas. They are facing up to 20 years in custody and are scheduled for sentencing next year.

The scheme involved targeting older individuals, using fabricated identities to build romantic connections, and subsequently convincing them to send substantial amounts of money into bank accounts situated in Ghana.

The alleged financial losses occurred between July 2024 and April 2026. While many victims resided in Ohio, where the charges were filed, others were located across 24 different US states, alongside individuals in Germany and Austria.

As part of their plea agreement, the Abubakaris and Opoku-Boachie consented to forfeit various pieces of jewelry seized by investigators during their apprehension, including rings, chains, earrings, and luxury watches.

The individuals operate under several aliases; Jamal Abubakari is also known as Jamal Abubakar, Kamal Abubakari as Kamal Abubakar, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie by the names Lancaster Joy Opoku-Boachie, Amanda Joy Glum, and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman.

This case reflects a growing focus by US authorities on dismantling criminal operations that prey upon senior Americans, particularly those based in West Africa.

Earlier this month, FBI Director Kash Patel announced hundreds of arrests stemming from the dismantling of a scam center located in Ghana.