AI personas fuel $9m romance fraud targeting older adults

Federal prosecutors in Ohio secured guilty pleas from three individuals accused of extracting over $9 million from elderly victims through a romance-based wire fraud scheme. The defendants, two 22-year-old twin brothers from Ghana and a 53-year-old American woman, entered their pleas in the US attorney's office for the northern district of Ohio on Monday. The scheme relied heavily on digital fabrication to build trust with targets who had spent decades saving for retirement.

The operation was active from July 2024 through April 2026. Investigators determined that the group targeted more than 130 individuals located in 25 US states, as well as in Germany and Austria. The primary channels for contact were dating websites and social media platforms. The defendants created fictitious female identities to establish close, often romantic, relationships with the victims. To maintain the illusion of real-time interaction, the group utilized artificial intelligence-driven video platforms to animate these fake personas.

Once the victims believed the relationships were genuine, the defendants introduced urgent financial needs. Court documents indicate the fraudsters cited medical emergencies, lucrative investment opportunities, and travel expenses to visit their partners. Victims wired funds to bank accounts controlled by the conspirators. A portion of the money was then transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations. The US justice department noted that the victims were left with little to no savings after a lifetime of work, often feeling ashamed of their trust in the perpetrators.

The three main defendants are Jamal Abubakari, Kamal Abubakari, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, who resides in Kula, Hawaii. All three pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Under the terms of the plea agreement, they agreed to forfeit luxury items seized by investigators at the time of their arrests. The confiscated assets include high-end watches, rings, chains, medallions, and earrings. Each defendant faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

Sentencing dates have been set for early next year. The Abubakari brothers are scheduled to be sentenced on 9 February 2027. Opoku-Boachie is due to be sentenced the following day, on 10 February 2027. The case does not end with the three who pleaded guilty. Other alleged co-conspirators are currently awaiting extradition from Ghana. Federal officials estimate that assets seized in that country are worth more than $3 million.

The recovered wealth in Ghana includes a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz, and a BMW. These vehicles were identified as part of the proceeds from the fraud. The justice department continues to process these assets as part of the ongoing legal proceedings. The plea agreements represent the first formal convictions in this specific multi-state and international fraud network.