Two Ghanaian brothers and a U.S.-based woman have been indicted in the United States over their alleged involvement in a romance fraud and money laundering scheme that reportedly targeted elderly Americans through online dating platforms and social media.
The suspects, identified as Jamal Abubakari, also known as “Arrangement,” his brother Kamal Abubakari, also known as “Lancaster,” and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, have been charged in a U.S. federal indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
According to U.S. court documents, the three suspects were arrested in Virginia and remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
Prosecutors allege that between July 2024 and April 2026, the accused, together with other accomplices, used fake online identities to establish romantic relationships with elderly victims through dating websites and social media platforms.
Investigators say the victims were manipulated into transferring money into bank accounts allegedly controlled by members of the fraud network.
Authorities further allege that portions of the funds were later transferred to accomplices based in Ghana and other countries.
The case forms part of a broader crackdown by U.S. authorities on international romance fraud syndicates with links to Ghana.
American prosecutors say several related cases involving Ghanaian nationals have already resulted in convictions and lengthy prison sentences.
In one of the related cases, 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 reportedly from Swedru, while Yussif is from Accra.
U.S. authorities also disclosed that a number of other individuals connected to similar fraud schemes have pleaded guilty and received prison sentences.
Among them is Dwayne Asafo Adjei, a Ghanaian national who was sentenced to 71 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution.
Another defendant, Otuo Amponsah, was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment and ordered to pay more than 3.3 million dollars in restitution.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Division, with support from several Ghanaian and U.S. agencies, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, and the Ghana Immigration Service.
U.S. prosecutors say the prosecutions form part of efforts under the Elder Justice Initiative Programme, which focuses on combating financial scams and fraud schemes targeting elderly persons.
Under U.S. law, an indictment remains an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
