A growing international crackdown on romance fraud and money laundering schemes linked to Ghana has resulted in at least 16 Ghanaians being jailed, arrested, indicted or facing extradition proceedings in the United States, in what American authorities describe as one of the largest coordinated efforts targeting transnational cyber-enabled fraud networks operating between Ghana and the United States.
The cases, which are being prosecuted in multiple U.S. federal courts, involve allegations of romance scams, wire fraud conspiracies and money laundering operations that primarily targeted elderly Americans through dating websites and social media platforms.
According to U.S. prosecutors, the accused individuals allegedly used fake identities and fabricated emotional relationships to deceive vulnerable victims into transferring large sums of money into accounts controlled by members of the criminal networks.
The investigations have led to lengthy prison sentences, millions of dollars in restitution orders and intensified cooperation between American law enforcement agencies and several Ghanaian state institutions, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority and the Ghana Attorney General’s Office.
9 already serving prison terms
Out of the 16 Ghanaians implicated in the various cases, nine are currently serving prison sentences in the United States after pleading guilty to offences including Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy.
In the case of United States v. David Onyinye Abuanekwu, et al., several defendants have already been sentenced by U.S. courts.
Among them is Dwayne Asafo Adjei, a 29-year-old Ghanaian citizen, who received a 71-month prison sentence, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution amounting to $372,943.
Nancy Adom, 30, of Akron and Columbus, Ohio, was also sentenced to 71 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,079,559 in restitution.
Eric Aidoo, 46, of Columbus, Ohio, received a similar sentence of 71 months imprisonment and three years supervised release, in addition to restitution amounting to $668,228.
Another defendant, Nader Wasif, 31, of Brentwood, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to Obstruction of Justice and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, one year supervised release and ordered to pay $172,644 in restitution.
Major convictions in Ohio fraud case
In a separate case titled United States v. Otuo Amponsah, et al., additional defendants linked to the fraud network also received substantial prison sentences.
Otuo Amponsah, 34, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment, three years supervised release and ordered to pay $3.32 million in restitution.
Portia Joe, 28, also of Columbus, Ohio, received 51 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay more than $2.03 million in restitution.
Anna Amponsah, 35, was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment alongside restitution of approximately $1.44 million.
Hannah Adom, 27, of Akron and Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to 71 months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution amounting to $278,894.
Dwayne Asafo Adjei, who had already been sentenced in the earlier case, received an additional 71-month sentence to run concurrently with his existing prison term.
Collectively, U.S. authorities say defendants who have already pleaded guilty in the interconnected cases have been sentenced to nearly 50 years imprisonment.
One defendant awaiting sentencing
Another accused person, Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, 37, of Cleveland, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy but is yet to be sentenced.
American prosecutors indicated that sentencing proceedings are expected to take place after further court reviews.
3 arrested in latest indictment
The latest developments involve the indictment and arrest of two Ghanaian brothers and a U.S.-based woman accused of participating in romance fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans.
The indictment, unsealed in United States v. Jamal Abubakari, et al., charged Jamal Abubakari, also known as Jamal Abubakar or “Arrangement,” aged 22; Kamal Abubakari, also known as Kamal Abubakar or “Lancaster,” also aged 22; and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, also known as Amanda Joy Glum or Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, aged 53.
All three defendants were arrested in Virginia and remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
According to U.S. prosecutors, the defendants allegedly operated romance fraud schemes between July 2024 and April 2026 by creating fake online personas on dating websites and social media platforms.
Investigators alleged that the suspects manipulated victims emotionally, establishing close personal and often romantic relationships before convincing them to transfer money into financial accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy.
Authorities claim portions of the funds were subsequently transferred to co-conspirators based in Ghana and elsewhere.
Additional Ghanaians charged
In another related case, United States v. Frederick Kumi, aka Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, aka Abu Trica, and Daniel Yussif, aka Denteni, aka Slab, prosecutors charged Frederick Kumi, 31, of Swedru, Ghana, and Daniel Yussif, 31, of Accra, Ghana, with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy.
U.S. authorities also announced the arrest of Kelvin Asmah, 28, a Ghanaian citizen, after he was charged in a second superseding indictment connected to the broader investigation.
Elderly Americans targeted
American investigators say the criminal operations primarily targeted elderly victims, many of whom were manipulated through emotionally exploitative relationships built online.
According to prosecutors, victims were often deceived through fabricated stories involving emergencies, business problems, travel difficulties or medical crises.
The fraud schemes reportedly resulted in significant financial losses to victims across several states in the United States.
The prosecution forms part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative Programme established under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017.
The initiative focuses on combating elder abuse, financial exploitation, neglect and fraud schemes targeting elderly persons.
Ghana-U.S. collaboration intensifies
The investigations were led by the FBI Cleveland Division with support from multiple U.S. and Ghanaian institutions.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer acknowledged the role played by Ghanaian authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office, EOCO, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Narcotics Control Commission, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Ghana Immigration Service and the National Intelligence Bureau.
American agencies involved include the FBI Washington Field Office, the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison are leading the prosecutions in the Northern District of Ohio.
The cases are expected to further deepen international cooperation between Ghana and the United States in combating cyber-enabled fraud, money laundering and transnational organised crime.
The growing number of prosecutions also highlights increasing international scrutiny of romance fraud syndicates operating across borders and exploiting digital platforms to target vulnerable victims globally.
