CLEVELAND — On Oct. 13, Jamal Abubakari, Kamal Abubakari and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a romance scam that defrauded victims of more than $9 million, the Justice Department said.

Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari entered their pleas on Oct. 13. Opoku-Boachie pleaded guilty on Oct. 20, 2026.

The scheme operated from about July 2024 to April 2026, during which the defendants used fake personas on dating sites and social media platforms to target older Americans. Victims resided in northern Ohio, 24 other states, Germany and Austria. Those in northern Ohio lived in Edgarton in Williams County.

Jamal Abubakari is 22 years old, as is Kamal Abubakari. Opoku-Boachie is 53 and resides in Kula, Hawaii. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The defendants agreed to forfeit seized jewelry, including luxury timepieces, high-end watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings. Sentencing for the Abubakari brothers is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2027, while Opoku-Boachie is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 10, 2027.

The investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison are leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.

Why It Matters

The defendants caused victims to lose more than $9 million through a romance scam that spanned multiple countries and states.