World · North America · 3 hrs ago
Three plead guilty in $9m international romance scam
Two Ghanaian twin brothers and an American woman pleaded guilty to taking part in an international romance scam.
They used fake identities on dating sites and social media to make older people in the US and Europe believe they were in relationships.
The victims were then persuaded to send money to bank accounts in Ghana.
Victims lost a total of $9m between July 2024 and April 2026, according to the charges.
Many victims were in Ohio, where the case was brought, while others were in 24 US states, Germany and Austria.
The three face up to 20 years in prison and are due to be sentenced next year; they also agreed to give up jewellery seized during their arrests.
Three people have pleaded guilty to taking part in an international romance scam that defrauded victims of $9 million.
The defendants are Ghanaian twin brothers Jamal and Kamal Abubakari and American Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie.
The group used fake identities on dating sites and social media to target older people in the United States and Europe.
Victims were persuaded to send money to bank accounts in Ghana between July 2024 and April 2026.
The defendants face up to 20 years in prison and are due to be sentenced next year.
- Who
- Ghanaian twin brothers Jamal and Kamal Abubakari and American Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie.
- What
- They pleaded guilty to taking part in an international romance scam.
- When
- The victims lost money between July 2024 and April 2026. The defendants have pleaded guilty; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- The victims were in the United States and Europe, and money was sent to bank accounts in Ghana.
- Why
- The group used fake identities to persuade victims to transfer money.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Victims collectively lost $9 million to the scam.
The three defendants had pleaded guilty.
The defendants are due to be sentenced.
- Defendants
- Jamal and Kamal Abubakari; Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie
- Victims’ losses
- $9 million
- Scam period
- July 2024–April 2026
- Victim locations
- Ohio, 24 other US states, Germany and Austria
- Maximum sentence
- Up to 20 years in prison