Ghanaian twin brothers face 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in $9 million romance fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans

Two 22-year-old Ghanaian twin brothers, Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, have pleaded guilty to their involvement in an international romance fraud scheme that cost victims more than $9 million.

The brothers and their co-conspirator, 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in October 2026.

According to court documents, the scheme operated between July 2024 and April 2026, with members using fake identities on dating websites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims before convincing them to send money.

The victims, mostly elderly Americans, were spread across 25 US states, as well as Germany and Austria. Some of the funds were transferred to accomplices in Ghana and other locations.

As part of their plea agreements, the defendants agreed to forfeit luxury jewellery and other valuables seized during their arrests.

Each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The twins are scheduled for sentencing on February 9, 2027, while Opoku-Boachie will be sentenced on February 10, 2027.