US federal authorities have charged, arrested, or imprisoned 15 individuals in connection with romance fraud and money laundering operations that allegedly targeted elderly Americans.
Combined prison sentences in the cases are approaching 50 years, alongside millions of dollars in restitution orders.
Prosecutors in Ohio say the suspects are linked to Ghana-based romance scam syndicates accused of defrauding elderly victims through fake online relationships and financial deception.
So far, nine of the accused have already been sentenced, receiving prison terms ranging from 12 months to 108 months, while courts have ordered them to repay millions of dollars to victims.
The investigations, led by the FBI with support from several Ghanaian institutions, including EOCO, the Ghana Police Service, and the Cyber Security Authority, reflect growing collaboration between Ghanaian and US authorities in tackling cybercrime and international fraud.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio disclosed that the cases involve a series of coordinated prosecutions between 2024 and 2026 targeting organised online fraud networks allegedly operating between Ghana and the United States.
According to prosecutors, victims were approached through dating sites and social media platforms where suspects allegedly used fake identities to establish emotional relationships before convincing victims to transfer money through wire transactions into accounts controlled by the fraud networks.
Below are the individuals named in the various federal cases.
1. Jamal Abubakari (alias “Arrangement”)
Age: 22
Status: Arrested and indicted (2026)
Jamal Abubakari was indicted in United States v. Abubakari et al. on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he participated in romance scams targeting elderly Americans through fake online personas. He was arrested in Virginia and remains in custody awaiting trial.
2. Kamal Abubakari (alias “Lancaster”)
Age: 22
Status: Arrested and indicted (2026)
Kamal, the twin brother of Jamal Abubakari, was charged in the same case. Authorities claim he assisted in operating fake identities used to lure victims into romantic relationships before soliciting financial transfers. He is also being held in Virginia pending trial.
3. Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie
Age: 53
Status: Arrested and indicted (2026)
The US-based suspect was arrested alongside the Abubakari twins in Virginia. She is accused of helping move and launder money allegedly obtained from romance fraud schemes.
4. Frederick Kumi (also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng or “Abu Trica”)
Age: 31
Hometown: Swedru, Ghana
Status: Charged (2025)
Kumi faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he was part of a broader fraud network linked to Ghana.
5. Daniel Yussif (alias “Denteni” or “Slab”)
Age: 31
Location: Accra, Ghana
Status: Charged (2025)
Yussif was charged together with Frederick Kumi. US authorities accuse him of involvement in romance fraud operations and laundering illicit funds.
6. Kelvin Asmah
Age: 28
Nationality: Ghanaian
Status: Arrested (2026)
Asmah was arrested after being named in a second superseding indictment connected to ongoing romance fraud investigations. Details about his alleged role are yet to be fully disclosed.
7. Dwayne Asafo Adjei
Age: 29
Nationality: Ghanaian
Status: Sentenced
Adjei pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. He received a 71-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay $372,943 in restitution. His sentence covered two related cases, U.S. v. Abuanekwu et al. and U.S. v. Amponsah et al., to run concurrently.
8. Eric Aidoo
Age: 46
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Status: Sentenced
Aidoo was sentenced to 71 months in prison after pleading guilty to fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. He was ordered to pay restitution amounting to $668,228.
9. Nancy Adom
Age: 30
Location: Akron and Columbus, Ohio
Status: Sentenced
Nancy Adom received a 71-month prison sentence after admitting guilt in a related fraud and money laundering case. She was directed to pay $1,079,559 in restitution.
10. Hannah Adom
Age: 27
Location: Akron and Columbus, Ohio
Status: Sentenced
Hannah Adom was also sentenced to 71 months imprisonment for participating in the fraud operation targeting elderly victims. She was ordered to pay $278,894 in restitution.
11. Nader Wasif
Age: 31
Location: Brentwood, Tennessee
Status: Sentenced
Wasif pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $172,644 in restitution.
12. Otuo Amponsah
Age: 34
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Status: Sentenced
Amponsah was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges. The court ordered him to pay $3,324,675 in restitution.
13. Anna Amponsah
Age: 35
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Status: Sentenced
Anna Amponsah received a 108-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay $1,444,639 in restitution.
14. Portia Joe
Age: 28
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Status: Sentenced
Joe was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy-related fraud charges. She was ordered to pay restitution amounting to $2,035,438.
15. Abdoul Issaka Assimiou
Age: 37
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Status: Awaiting sentencing
Assimiou pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering and is currently awaiting sentencing.
US authorities say the prosecutions are part of the broader Elder Justice Initiative, which focuses on combating online fraud schemes that exploit elderly victims through romance scams and financial manipulation.
The FBI’s Cleveland Division led the investigations with support from several agencies in both the United States and Ghana, including the Ghana Attorney General’s Office, EOCO, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Financial Intelligence Centre, NACOC, the Ghana Immigration Service, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
Officials disclosed that convictions in the related cases have already resulted in prison sentences totalling nearly 50 years, alongside restitution orders worth millions of dollars.
US prosecutors stressed that all charges remain allegations until proven in court, noting that some of the accused persons are still awaiting trial or sentencing.