Twin brothers from Ghana and a woman from Hawaii have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of an international network that used fake romantic relationships to obtain more than nine million dollars from mostly older Americans.
Jamal Abubakari, also known as Jamal Abubakar and Arrangement, aged 22, and his twin Kamal Abubakari, also known as Kamal Abubakar and Lancaster, also aged 22, entered guilty pleas on 13 October. Their accomplice Amanda Joy Opoku Boachie, also known as Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, aged 53, of Kula in Hawaii, pleaded guilty on 20 October. All three admitted the single charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to court documents, from about July 2024 to April 2026 the defendants and others targeted older Americans on dating websites and social media platforms. They employed false personas to establish close personal relationships, which were often presented as romantic. After victims were misled by fabricated stories, they sent money by wire transfer to accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. Portions of the funds were then passed to associates in Ghana and elsewhere. The victims collectively lost more than nine million dollars.
Those affected included residents of Edgarton in Williams County in northern Ohio, together with people living in 24 other American states and in Germany and Austria.
As part of their pleas, the Abubakari brothers and Opoku Boachie agreed to forfeit jewellery seized by investigators at the time of their arrests. The items included luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.
The investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance. Partners who contributed included the Ghana Attorney General’s Office, the Economic Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Cyber Security Authority, the Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, the Ghana Financial Intelligence Centre, the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana National Intelligence Bureau, along with several United States agencies.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brian M McDonough and Elliot Morrison are leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentences after considering the relevant guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing for the Abubakari brothers is scheduled for 9 February 2027. Opoku Boachie is scheduled to be sentenced on 10 February 2027.
The case forms part of the Elder Justice Initiative Programme, which originated from the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017. The programme supports coordinated efforts by the Department of Justice to combat elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud and scams that target older people.
By John James
