Jamal and Kamal Abubakari plead guilty to $9m US romance scam

Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, 22-year-old Ghanaian twin brothers, have pleaded guilty in a United States court for their involvement in an international criminal network. The brothers, alongside a US-based Ghanaian woman, admitted to participating in a sophisticated romance scam operation that defrauded American citizens of approximately $9 million. The scheme primarily targeted older women, utilizing deceptive romantic relationships to manipulate victims into transferring significant financial assets under fraudulent pretenses.

Records from the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio indicate that the guilty pleas were formally entered on October 13, 2026. The full details of the brothers' roles in the criminal network were subsequently disclosed in a document released on October 26. Investigators found that the group coordinated their activities across international borders, establishing trust with vulnerable individuals before soliciting funds for fabricated emergencies or business opportunities.

The successful prosecution of this case marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts by the US Department of Justice to dismantle transnational fraud rings. While specific sentencing dates were not immediately provided, the conviction of the Abubakari twins highlights the increasing cooperation between international law enforcement to protect citizens from cybercrime. This case serves as a stern warning regarding the legal consequences for those engaging in romance fraud and financial exploitation of senior citizens.