Two brothers from Ghana and a woman living in the United States have been charged in the U.S. over their alleged role in a romance scam and money laundering scheme that reportedly targeted elderly Americans through online dating sites and social media.
This is one of several recent romance fraud cases linked to Ghanaian nationals.
The suspects are Jamal Abubakari, also known as “Arrangement,” his brother Kamal Abubakari, also known as “Lancaster,” and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie.
U.S. federal prosecutors charged them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
According to U.S. court documents, the three were arrested in Virginia and are still in custody while the case continues.
Prosecutors say that between July 2024 and April 2026, the suspects and their associates allegedly created fake online profiles to build romantic relationships with elderly victims on dating websites and social media platforms.
The victims were reportedly convinced to send money to bank accounts controlled by the group.
Authorities also claim that some of the money was later transferred to accomplices in Ghana and other countries.
The case is part of a wider crackdown by U.S. authorities on romance scam networks connected to Ghana.
Prosecutors say several related cases involving Ghanaian suspects have already ended in convictions and long prison sentences.
In another related case, Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng or “Abu Trica,” and Daniel Yussif, also known as “Denteni” or “Slab,” were charged in December 2025 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Kumi is from Swedru, while Yussif is from Accra.
U.S. authorities also revealed that several other people connected to similar fraud schemes have already pleaded guilty and received prison sentences.
One of them, Dwayne Asafo Adjei, a Ghanaian national, was sentenced to 71 months in prison and ordered to pay compensation to the victims.
Another defendant, Otuo Amponsah, received a 108-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay more than $3.3 million in restitution.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division, with support from agencies in both Ghana and the United States, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Cyber Security Authority, and the Ghana Immigration Service.
U.S. prosecutors said the cases are part of the Elder Justice Initiative Programme, which focuses on fighting financial scams and fraud targeting elderly people.
Under U.S. law, an indictment is only an allegation, and all defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court.
