Ghanaian twin brothers, Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, have been indicted in the United States over their alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar romance fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans.
According to a federal indictment unsealed in the United States, the two brothers, along with a US-based accomplice, Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The charges stem from an alleged operation that reportedly defrauded victims of more than $2 million through online dating platforms.
Authorities say the suspects were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shortly after arriving in the United States, where they were allegedly expecting to receive funds linked to the fraudulent activities. The trio is currently in custody in Virginia as they await further court proceedings.
Court documents describe the scheme as one that deliberately targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, through emotionally manipulative tactics. Prosecutors allege that the accused created fake online identities and cultivated romantic relationships with victims, often over long periods, before requesting money under false pretences.
“The victims were elderly individuals, and the personal relationships were often romantic in nature but physically remote,” prosecutors noted in the filing.
Investigators believe the operation ran between July 2024 and April 2026, during which funds obtained from victims were allegedly transferred to accomplices in Ghana and other countries. The case forms part of a broader crackdown by US authorities on international romance fraud networks.
The Abubakari twins had gained attention in Ghana in recent years for showcasing luxury lifestyles on social media, frequently displaying expensive vehicles, designer clothing, and large amounts of cash—raising questions about the source of their wealth.
The investigation also involved collaboration with several Ghanaian institutions, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service (GPS), the Ghana Cyber Security Authority (GCSA), and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
Prosecutors indicated that the case falls under the US government’s Elder Justice Initiative, a programme focused on combating financial crimes against senior citizens.
This indictment adds to a growing list of related prosecutions involving Ghanaian suspects. In recent cases, individuals convicted of similar offences have received lengthy prison sentences and have been ordered to pay millions of dollars in restitution to victims.
Under US law, an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
