Federal prosecutors in the United States have indicted two Ghanaian brothers and a U.S.-based woman over their alleged involvement in an international romance fraud and money laundering network accused of targeting elderly Americans through online dating platforms and social media.According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the three suspects were arrested in Virginia and remain in custody pending further court proceedings.The accused persons were identified as Jamal Abubakari, also known as Jamal Abubakar and “Arrangement”, aged 22; his brother Kamal Abubakari, also known as Kamal Abubakar and “Lancaster”, aged 22; and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, aged 53, who is also known as Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman.The indictment, recently unsealed in the case titled United States v. Jamal Abubakari, et al., charges the three with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.Alleged romance scams targeted elderly AmericansProsecutors allege that between July 2024 and April 2026, the defendants and their associates used fake online identities to establish close personal relationships — often romantic in nature — with elderly victims across the United States.Authorities say the suspects operated on dating websites and social media platforms where they allegedly manipulated victims emotionally and persuaded them to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy.According to investigators, portions of the funds were subsequently transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations.The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the case forms part of a broader crackdown on organised romance fraud operations linked to Ghana and involving elderly victims in the United States.Several related Ghana-linked cases already before U.S. courtsThe latest indictment is one of several interconnected cases currently before a U.S. District Court in Ohio involving alleged Ghana-linked fraud conspiracies.U.S. authorities disclosed that nine defendants connected to related investigations have already pleaded guilty and collectively received approximately 50 years in prison sentences.In a separate case, United States v. Frederick Kumi, et al., prosecutors charged Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica, alongside Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni and Slab, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.Kumi, 31, is from Swedru, while Yussif, also 31, is from Accra.Federal prosecutors also listed several individuals who have already been convicted and sentenced in related cases.Among them is Dwayne Asafo Adjei, a Ghanaian national sentenced to 71 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $372,000 in restitution.Others include Nancy Adom, who received a 71-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay over $1 million in restitution, and Eric Aidoo, who was also sentenced to 71 months imprisonment.Another defendant, Nader Wasif, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice.Authorities further disclosed that Kelvin Asmah, another Ghanaian national, was recently arrested following charges in a second superseding indictment connected to the wider investigation.In a related case, Otuo Amponsah was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment and ordered to pay more than $3.3 million in restitution.Other defendants sentenced include Portia Joe, Anna Amponsah and Hannah Adom.Meanwhile, Abdoul Issaka Assimiou has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.Ghanaian security agencies assisted investigationThe investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cleveland Division with support from multiple U.S. and Ghanaian institutions.U.S. authorities acknowledged assistance from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority, Narcotics Control Commission, Financial Intelligence Centre, the Ghana Immigration Service and the National Intelligence Bureau.The statement also acknowledged assistance from U.S. federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.U.S. prosecutors said the investigation forms part of the country’s Elder Justice Initiative established under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017.The initiative seeks to combat financial fraud, scams and exploitation targeting elderly persons across the United States.Authorities urged the public to report suspected elder financial abuse through official FBI and U.S. Department of Justice reporting platforms.The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that the indictment remains an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.