Federal authorities in the United States have unveiled a sweeping crackdown on an international romance fraud network, releasing a full list of Ghanaian nationals charged or convicted in connection with multi-million dollar scams targeting elderly victims.
The cases, prosecuted under multiple indictments, form part of a broader effort by the US Department of Justice to dismantle transnational criminal rings exploiting online dating platforms and social media to defraud vulnerable individuals.
According to prosecutors, suspects created fake identities, often posing as romantic partners, to build trust with victims before convincing them to send large sums of money through wire transfers. The funds were then laundered through accounts in the United States and distributed to collaborators in Ghana and other countries.
Newly Charged Defendants
In the latest indictment, three individuals were arrested in Virginia and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering:
Jamal Abubakari, 22, also known as “Arrangement”
Kamal Abubakari, 22, also known as “Lancaster”
Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, also known as “Amanda Joy Glum”
Prosecutors allege that the trio operated between July 2024 and April 2026, orchestrating romance scams that extracted significant sums from victims across the United States.
Previously Charged Individuals
The latest charges add to an expanding list of Ghanaian nationals already facing prosecution. In December 2025, Frederick Kumi and Daniel Yussif, both aged 31, were also charged in connection with similar fraud schemes.
Convicted and Sentenced
Several defendants have already been convicted and sentenced in related cases:
Dwayne Asafo Adjei – 71 months imprisonment; restitution of $372,943
Nancy Adom – 71 months; restitution of $1,079,559
Eric Aidoo – 71 months; restitution of $668,228
Nader Wasif – 12 months for obstruction of justice
In a separate case:
Otuo Amponsah – 108 months; restitution of $3,324,675
Anna Amponsah – 108 months; restitution of $1,444,639
Portia Joe – 51 months; restitution of $2,035,438
Hannah Adom – 71 months; restitution of $278,894
Other suspects, including Kelvin Asmah and Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, remain before the courts awaiting trial or sentencing.
International Collaboration
Investigations were led by the FBI’s Cleveland Division, working in collaboration with Ghanaian authorities such as the Attorney General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, and the Cyber Security Authority. US agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration also supported the effort.
Focus on Elderly Victims
The prosecutions fall under the US government’s Elder Justice Initiative, which targets financial crimes against older citizens. Authorities say elderly victims were specifically targeted due to their perceived vulnerability, with some losing life savings to the scams.
Officials say the latest indictments signal an intensification of efforts to combat romance fraud and dismantle networks operating across borders, warning that further arrests and prosecutions are expected.
