Twin brothers and a Hawaii woman pleaded guilty to a $9 million romance scam targeting elderly victims across the U.S. and Europe.
Two twin brothers from Ghana and a woman from Hawaii recently entered guilty pleas. They participated in a large international fraud network. This group targeted people on dating websites and various social media platforms.
Also, the scammers focused on elderly victims living in the United States and Europe. They created fake profiles to trick people into believing they had romantic connections. Then, they convinced the victims to send large amounts of money to Ghanaian bank accounts.
Next, the court identified the twins as Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22 years old. The woman, 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, also admitted her guilt. Each person faces a potential 20-year prison sentence next year.
Meanwhile, the victims lost a total of $9 million between July 2024 and April 2026. Many of the affected individuals lived in Ohio. Others resided across 24 different American states, Germany, and Austria.
After that, the defendants agreed to give up luxury items seized by investigators. These items include expensive watches, rings, chains, and earrings. Police confiscated these goods during the initial arrests.
Furthermore, the accused individuals used several aliases to hide their true identities. Jamal used the names Jamal Abubakar and Arrangement. Kamal used the names Kamal Abubakar and Lancaster. Opoku-Boachie used names like Amanda Joy Glum.
Still, American officials are increasing their efforts to stop these criminal networks. These groups often operate between the United States and West Africa. They specifically target vulnerable older Americans for financial gain.
Finally, the FBI recently dismantled a major scam center in Ghana. This operation led to hundreds of arrests across the region. Authorities continue to pursue those who use online platforms to steal money from innocent people.