Ghanaian twins, Hawaii woman plead guilty in $9 million romance scam

Twin brothers from Ghana and a woman from Hawaii have pleaded guilty in the United States to running an online romance scam that took about $9 million from victims, according to court filings made public by the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio and reported on October 26 to 28, 2026. Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, pleaded guilty on October 13, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, of Kula, Hawaii, pleaded guilty on October 20, all to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors say the group posed as romantic partners under false identities, won victims' trust and persuaded them to send money, much of it to bank accounts in Ghana, between July 2024 and April 2026.

Romance scams are among the costliest forms of online fraud because they work on emotions rather than technical tricks. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, spend weeks or months building a relationship, and then invent a crisis, a medical bill, a customs fee, a business opportunity, that requires money. By the time victims realise the person does not exist, the money has often moved across borders and is hard to recover.

This case shows how such schemes are organised. Prosecutors describe a network that spanned two continents, with people in the United States helping to receive and move money that ended up in Ghana. US authorities have been stepping up action against fraud rings operating between West Africa and the United States, many of which target older people who may be lonely or less familiar with online deception.

The lesson applies well beyond the US. Young people are often the ones who help parents and grandparents navigate apps and social media, and they are also targets themselves, on dating apps and in investment scams that start with a friendly message.

Recognising the warning signs is the best protection. A new online contact who quickly declares strong feelings, avoids video calls, always has a reason not to meet, and eventually asks for money, gift cards or cryptocurrency is following a familiar script.

Short-term: The three defendants face sentencing next year and have agreed to forfeit seized jewellery, which may go towards compensating victims.

Long-term: Cases like this one raise awareness and can deter some fraudsters, but romance scams remain widespread. Platforms, banks and families all play a part in spotting them early.

Who is affected: Older adults and lonely users of dating apps and social media, families who help relatives online, banks handling cross-border transfers, and law enforcement agencies tracking international fraud rings.

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