The United States has unsealed an indictment charging two Ghanaian brothers and a U.S.-based woman for allegedly operating a transnational romance fraud network that targeted elderly victims through online deception and financial scams.
Those charged include Jamal Abubakari (also known as “Arrangement”), Kamal Abubakari (also known as “Lancaster”), and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie.
According to the indictment filed in the case titled United States v. Jamal Abubakari et al., the accused face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio alleges that between July 2024 and April 2026, the suspects used fake identities on dating platforms and social media to build romantic relationships with elderly victims, particularly in the United States.
Victims were reportedly misled through emotional manipulation and false personal stories, after which they were persuaded to send money via wire transfers to accounts allegedly controlled by members of the criminal network.
Authorities further allege that portions of the funds were routed to co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations.
The three defendants were arrested in Virginia and remain in custody as proceedings continue.
The case is part of a wider U.S. investigation into romance fraud networks linked to Ghana, with several related prosecutions already underway.
In earlier cases, individuals including Frederick Kumi and Daniel Yussif were also charged in December 2025 in connection with similar allegations.
U.S. prosecutors say multiple defendants in related cases have already pleaded guilty, with nine individuals collectively sentenced to about 50 years in prison.
Others, including defendants in cases such as United States v. David Onyinye Abuanekwu et al., have received prison sentences ranging from several years to over a decade, alongside restitution orders running into millions of dollars.
Several Ghanaian and international agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Cyber Security Authority, Financial Intelligence Centre, and the Ghana Immigration Service, assisted in the investigation alongside U.S. law enforcement bodies.
U.S. authorities say the case forms part of ongoing efforts under the Elder Justice Initiative to combat financial crimes targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly victims.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
