US Attorney’s office confirms arrest of Ghanaian twins, 'Lancaster' and 'Arrangement' over alleged wire fraud

• US authorities have arrested Ghanaian twins Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, popularly known as “Arrangement” and “Lancaster,” over an alleged romance fraud and money laundering scheme.

• Prosecutors say the suspects targeted elderly Americans through dating sites and social media, using fake identities to convince victims to transfer money.

• The FBI-led investigation forms part of a wider crackdown on Ghana-linked fraud networks, with several suspects already jailed in related cases.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio has confirmed the arrest and indictment of two Ghanaian twins and a US-based woman over their alleged involvement in an international romance fraud and money laundering network targeting elderly Americans.

According to a statement released on Thursday, May 14 by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio, the accused persons have been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering.

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The statement identified the suspects as:

• Jamal Abubakari, also known as “Arrangement” or Jamal Abubakar, 22

• Kamal Abubakari, also known as “Lancaster” or Kamal Abubakar, 22

• Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, also known as Amanda Joy Glum or Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, 53

US authorities confirmed that all three defendants were arrested in Virginia and remain in custody pending further court proceedings.

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According to the indictment, the alleged fraud scheme operated between July 2024 and April 2026 and primarily targeted older Americans through dating websites and social media platforms.

The US Attorney’s Office stated that the suspects allegedly worked with others to create fake online identities and develop close personal relationships with victims, many of which were romantic in nature.

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The statement explained:

“The defendants conspired with others to use fake personas to establish close personal relationships with the victims which were often romantic in nature.”

Authorities say victims were manipulated through fabricated stories and convinced to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by members of the alleged criminal network.

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According to prosecutors:

“After being misled by false stories, the victims sent money via wire transfer to financial accounts controlled by conspiracy members.”

The statement added that portions of the funds were allegedly transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other countries.

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US prosecutors revealed that the case forms part of a broader series of investigations involving alleged Ghana-linked romance fraud and money laundering operations targeting elderly victims in the United States.

According to the statement, several related cases have already been assigned to a single US District Judge to coordinate proceedings.

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The office disclosed that while some suspects are still awaiting trial or sentencing, at least nine defendants linked to similar schemes have already pleaded guilty and received combined prison sentences totaling approximately 50 years.

The statement highlighted multiple related prosecutions involving Ghanaian nationals and US-based accomplices.

In one case, Ghanaian nationals Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng or Abu Trica, and Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni or Slab, were charged in December 2025 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

The statement also referenced several convictions already secured in related cases, including:

• Dwayne Asafo Adjei, a Ghanaian national, sentenced to 71 months imprisonment

• Nancy Adom, sentenced to 71 months imprisonment

• Eric Aidoo, sentenced to 71 months imprisonment

• Otuo Amponsah, sentenced to 108 months imprisonment

• Portia Joe, sentenced to 51 months imprisonment

• Anna Amponsah, sentenced to 108 months imprisonment

• Hannah Adom, sentenced to 71 months imprisonment

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Another defendant, Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

Authorities also confirmed the recent arrest of Kelvin Asmah, a Ghanaian citizen, following charges in a separate superseding indictment.

The investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division with support from several Ghanaian and US security agencies.

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The US Attorney’s Office acknowledged the assistance of:

• Ghana Attorney General’s Office

• Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)

• Ghana Police Service

• Ghana Cyber Security Authority

• Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)

• Ghana Financial Intelligence Centre

• Ghana Immigration Service

• National Intelligence Bureau

Several US agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Justice, and the US State Department, also participated in the investigation.

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The US Attorney’s Office stressed that the indictment remains an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

“An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” the statement noted.

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The case forms part of the Elder Justice Initiative Programme established under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017, which focuses on combating financial scams and fraud schemes targeting elderly people in the United States.