Three Plead Guilty in $9m Romance Fraud Targeting Older Americans

Three people have pleaded guilty to taking part in a romance fraud scheme that cost elderly Americans more than $9m, according to the US Justice Department.

The US attorney's office for the northern district of Ohio announced on Monday that twin brothers from Ghana and an American woman admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The defendants are Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, of Kula, Hawaii.

Prosecutors said the group targeted more than 130 victims in 25 states, as well as in Germany and Austria. The activity ran from July 2024 to April 2026 and centered on dating websites and social media platforms, where older Americans were the intended targets.

The justice department said the defendants worked with others to create "fake personas to establish close, personal relationships with the victims which were often romantic in nature". At times, the group used "artificial intelligence-driven video platforms to engage victims under fictitious female personas".

Once trust was established, victims were fed false stories and persuaded to wire money to bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. Portions of the funds were then passed on to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere. According to court documents reviewed by news outlets, the defendants claimed they needed money for medical emergencies, investment opportunities or travel fees to visit the victims.

Prosecutors described the toll on those targeted. "Victims report that they are left with absolutely nothing to sustain their lives going forward after a lifetime of work and saving. In addition, individual victims are ashamed and deprived of the trust they once had in their fellow human beings," they said in the documents.

Under the plea agreement, the Abubakaris and Opoku-Boachie agreed to forfeit jewellery that investigators seized when they were arrested. The items include luxury timepieces, high-end watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.

Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Sentencing for the brothers is scheduled for 9 February 2027, and Opoku-Boachie is due to be sentenced the following day, on 10 February 2027.

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