The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has listed several Ghanaian security and law enforcement agencies that assisted in the international investigation into the over $9 million romance fraud scheme involving twin brothers from Ghana.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio acknowledged the contributions of the Ghanaian agencies and other international partners to the investigation.

The agencies named include the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority, Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, Financial Intelligence Centre, Ghana Immigration Service and National Intelligence Bureau.

The Office of the Attorney General was also acknowledged for its role in supporting the investigation.

According to the DOJ, the case involves twin brothers Jamal Abubakari, also known as Jamal Abubakar and Arrangement, and Kamal Abubakari, also known as Kamal Abubakar and Lancaster, both aged 22, as well as 53-year-old Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, also known as Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, of Kula, Hawaii.

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All three defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The brothers entered their guilty pleas on October 13, 2026, while Opoku-Boachie pleaded guilty on October 20, 2026.

Court documents indicate that the defendants allegedly operated as part of an international criminal network that targeted older Americans through dating websites and social media platforms between July 2024 and April 2026.

The defendants and their alleged co-conspirators reportedly created fake identities to establish close personal relationships with victims, often presenting the relationships as romantic.

After gaining the victims’ trust through fabricated stories, members of the network allegedly persuaded them to transfer money to financial accounts controlled by the conspirators.

Portions of the proceeds were subsequently transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere. The scheme resulted in losses exceeding $9 million among victims in 25 US states, as well as Germany and Austria.

The DOJ said victims in northern Ohio included residents of Edgerton in Williams County.

As part of their plea agreements, the three defendants agreed to forfeit jewellery seized by investigators during their arrests. The items included luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.

Read the DOJ statement here

BAI/VPO