Ghanaian Twin Brothers and Hawaiian Woman Plead Guilty to $9M Romance Scam

Two Ghanaian twin brothers aged 22 and a 53-year-old Hawaiian woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a romance scam that defrauded victims in the US, Germany, and Austria of over $9 million. Operating from July 2024 to April 2026, the defendants and their co-conspirators used fake personas on dating websites and social media to establish romantic relationships with elderly victims, then convinced them to send money via wire transfer to accounts controlled by the conspiracy members.

How the Scam Worked

In this case, Ghanaian brothers Jamal Abubakari (22) and Kamal Abubakari (22), along with Hawaiian-based Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie (53), operated as part of an international romance fraud network. The scheme ran from July 2024 to April 2026 and employed the following tactics:

Creating fake profiles: Building fictional personas on dating websites and social media platforms
Building trust: Gradually developing emotional bonds with victims over time
False money requests: Making urgent pleas for funds citing medical emergencies, business investments, or travel costs
Money transfers: Redirecting victim funds to co-conspirators in Ghana and other countries

Victims were primarily elderly individuals located across the United States, Germany, and Austria. The total losses exceeded $9 million.

Warning Signs

Common red flags in romance scams include:

Rapid relationship escalation: Declarations of love within weeks of initial contact
Avoidance of in-person meetings: Maintaining online-only contact for extended periods
Suspicious profile images: Photos appear artificial or may belong to someone else
Money requests: Urgent financial needs with pressure to send funds quickly
Limited social verification: Inability to connect with the person's family or friends
Platform switching: Rapid movement from dating apps to private messaging services

Prevention Tips

Never send money to someone you haven't met in person: Financial requests are a major warning sign
Verify images: Use reverse image search tools like Google Images to check if photos are authentic
Insist on meeting in person: Scammers typically avoid video calls and face-to-face meetings
Limit personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive details about finances or personal history
Consult trusted contacts: Discuss suspicious interactions with family or friends
Use built-in safety features: Leverage verification and reporting tools offered by dating platforms

Where to Report

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.ic3.gov
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov
Dating platform support teams: Most platforms have dedicated reporting mechanisms
Local law enforcement: File a police report in your jurisdiction
Your bank or payment service: Report fraudulent transfers immediately