A 53-year-old US-based woman identified as Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a massive international romance scam that defrauded victims, mostly elderly Americans, of more than $9 million.
Opoku-Boachie, who resides in Kula, Hawaii, entered her guilty plea on October 20, 2026, according to an official statement released by the United States Department of Justice on Monday, October 26.
The woman, also known as Amanda Joy Glum and Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, admitted her involvement in a criminal conspiracy that used fake online identities and romantic relationships to obtain money from unsuspecting victims.
Her guilty plea follows those of Ghanaian twin brothers Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, popularly known as Arrangement and Lancaster, who pleaded guilty to the same offense on October 13, 2026.
According to federal prosecutors, the criminal network operated between July 2024 and April 2026, targeting victims through online dating websites and social media platforms.
Members of the syndicate allegedly created fictitious personalities to establish emotional connections with victims, often convincing them they were involved in genuine romantic relationships.
Once trust was established, the scammers reportedly fabricated stories to persuade their victims to transfer substantial amounts of money into financial accounts controlled by members of the criminal operation.
Investigators revealed that portions of the funds were transferred to accomplices in Ghana and other locations.
The scheme affected victims across 25 American states, including Ohio, as well as Germany and Austria, resulting in combined losses exceeding $9 million.
As part of her plea agreement, Opoku-Boachie agreed to forfeit luxury items seized during her arrest, including valuable jewelry and expensive accessories.
The investigation was led by the FBI’s Cleveland Division, with support from American and Ghanaian law enforcement agencies, including Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service and Cyber Security Authority.
Opoku-Boachie faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, although her actual punishment will be determined by a judge.
Her sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 10, 2027, one day after the Abubakari twins are expected to be sentenced.
The case highlights the growing international crackdown on romance fraud syndicates exploiting vulnerable individuals through online deception.
The United States Department of Justice says its Elder Justice Initiative continues to prioritize investigations involving financial exploitation of older Americans.
