Accra, May 15, GNA — Two Ghanaian brothers and a United States-based woman have been indicted in connection with an alleged romance fraud and money laundering schemes that targeted elderly Americans through dating websites and social media platforms.
The accused persons were identified as Jamal Abubakari, also known as Jamal Abubakar and “Arrangement,” 22; Kamal Abubakari, also known as Kamal Abubakar and “Lancaster,” 22; and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, also known as Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, 53.
A statement issued by the United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio Friday said all three defendants were arrested in Virginia and remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
Prosecutors alleged that between July 2024 and April 2026, the defendants conspired with others to operate romance fraud schemes by using fake identities to establish close personal and romantic relationships with victims, most of whom were elderly Americans.
The statement alleged that victims were deceived through fabricated stories and persuaded to send money through wire transfers to accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy.
Portions of the funds were allegedly transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations.
The defendants were charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering.
The Department of Justice said several related cases involving conspiracies linked to Ghana had also been assigned to one U.S. District Judge for coordinated proceedings.
It said while a number of defendants in those matters were awaiting trial or sentencing, nine individuals had already pleaded guilty and collectively received approximately 50 years of imprisonment.
In one related case, United States v. Frederick Kumi and Daniel Yussif, Frederick Kumi, 31, of Swedru, Ghana, and Daniel Yussif, 31, of Accra, Ghana, were charged in December 2025 with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy.
In another case; United States v. David Onyinye Abuanekwu, several defendants were sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy and money laundering offences.
Among them, Dwayne Asafo Adjei, a 29-year-old Ghanaian citizen, received a 71-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay restitution of US$372,943.
Nancy Adom, 30, of Akron and Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to 71 months imprisonment and ordered to pay more than US$1 million in restitution, while Eric Aidoo, 46, of Columbus, Ohio, also received 71 months imprisonment.
The statement also disclosed that Nader Wasif, 31, of Brentwood, Tennessee, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to Obstruction of Justice.
Additionally, Kelvin Asmah, 28, a Ghanaian citizen, was recently arrested after being charged in a second superseding indictment.
In United States v. Otuo Amponsah, and others, several defendants were also sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy and money laundering charges.
Otuo Amponsah, 34, of Columbus, Ohio, and Anna Amponsah, 35, of Columbus, Ohio, each received 108-month prison sentences, while Portia Joe, 28, was sentenced to 51 months imprisonment.
Hannah Adom, 27, of Akron and Columbus, Ohio, received a 71-month sentence, while Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, 37, of Cleveland, Ohio, pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division with assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer acknowledged the support of the various international and national agencies, including the Ghana Attorney General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Cyber Security Authority, the Ghana Financial Intelligence Centre, and the Ghana Immigration Service.
Other agencies that supported the investigation included the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Sensitive Investigation Unit.
Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison, Assistant United States Attorneys, are leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
The statement said the indictment remained only an allegation and that all defendants were presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation forms part of the Elder Justice Initiative Programme established under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017, which seeks to combat elder abuse, financial fraud, and scams targeting elderly persons in the United States.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe