Ghanaian Nationals Indicted in Major US Romance Fraud Crackdown

Several Ghanaian nationals have been indicted in the United States over their alleged involvement in international romance fraud and money laundering schemes that reportedly targeted vulnerable victims across the country.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal indictment recently unsealed in Ohio charged three individuals, identified as Jamal Abubakari, Kamal Abubakari, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

US prosecutors allege that the suspects were part of organised romance scam operations that deceived victims through fake online relationships and fraudulent identities. Authorities say the accused manipulated victims emotionally before convincing them to send money under false pretences.

The Department of Justice disclosed that all three defendants were arrested in Virginia and remain in custody pending further court proceedings.

The indictments are linked to a broader US investigation into transnational cyber fraud networks allegedly operating from West Africa and other regions. Prosecutors also referenced a separate case involving Frederick Kumi, also known as “Abu Trica,” and Daniel Yussif, both Ghanaian nationals accused of participating in similar romance fraud and money laundering conspiracies.

Authorities claim many of the victims were elderly Americans who were targeted through social media platforms, messaging apps, and online dating websites. Fraudsters reportedly spent weeks or months building emotional trust before requesting funds for fabricated emergencies, medical expenses, travel costs, or investment opportunities.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio noted that romance scams continue to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in losses annually and are increasingly tied to sophisticated international criminal networks.

In recent years, US law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to dismantle cybercrime syndicates connected to online fraud, with several Ghanaian and Nigerian nationals facing extradition requests, arrests, and convictions.

The latest indictments have sparked renewed conversations about cyber fraud activities in West Africa and the growing global cooperation between African and US authorities in tackling financial crimes.