Ghanaian twin brothers and American woman plead guilty to $9 million romance scam
Ghanaian twin brothers Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and a 53-year-old American woman Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
In Brief
- •Ghanaian twin brothers Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and a 53-year-old American woman Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
- •The scam operation lasted from July 2024 to April 2026, targeting victims across 25 U.S. states, Germany, and Austria.
- •The defendants allegedly used fake identities on dating platforms to build emotional connections before persuading victims to send money.
- •Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 9 and 10, 2027.
Why It Matters
This case highlights the growing sophistication of international romance scams, which exploit emotional connections to defraud victims. The significant financial loss and potential prison sentences underscore the need for stronger cybersecurity measures and public awareness about online scams. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of international cooperation in prosecuting such crimes.
Key Details
- Total Defrauded Amount
- $9 million
- Duration of Scam
- July 2024 - April 2026
- Maximum Sentence
- 20 years in prison
- Sentencing Dates
- February 9 and 10, 2027
- Victims' Locations
- 25 U.S. states, Germany, Austria
What To Watch
The sentencing of the defendants on February 9 and 10, 2027
Original Reporting & Sources
VNews is an independent briefing product. Original reporting remains credited to the following publishers:
This brief was synthesized automatically using attributed third-party reporting. VNews is a digital news publication produced under the VContent Group brand and operated by Francis Vincent Sunday in Ghana, independent from the publishers cited above. Read our AI Transparency Policy and Editorial & Corrections Policy.