A growing international crackdown on romance fraud and money laundering schemes linked to Ghana has resulted in at least 16 Ghanaians being jailed, arrested, indicted or facing extradition proceedings in the United States, in what American authorities describe as one of the largest coordinated efforts targeting transnational cyber-enabled fraud networks operating between Ghana and the United States.

The cases, which are being prosecuted in multiple U.S. federal courts, involve allegations of romance scams, wire fraud conspiracies and money laundering operations that primarily targeted elderly Americans through dating websites and social media platforms.

According to U.S. prosecutors, the accused individuals allegedly used fake identities and fabricated emotional relationships to deceive vulnerable victims into transferring large sums of money into accounts controlled by members of the criminal networks.

The investigations have led to lengthy prison sentences, millions of dollars in restitution orders and intensified cooperation between American law enforcement agencies and several Ghanaian state institutions, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority and the Ghana Attorney General’s Office.

9 already serving prison terms

Out of the 16 Ghanaians implicated in the various cases, nine are currently serving prison sentences in the United States after pleading guilty to offences including Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy.

In the case of United States v. David Onyinye Abuanekwu, et al., several defendants have already been sentenced by U.S. courts.

Among them is Dwayne Asafo Adjei, a 29-year-old Ghanaian citizen, who received a 71-month prison sentence, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution amounting to $372,943.

Nancy Adom, 30, of Akron and Columbus, Ohio, was also sentenced to 71 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,079,559 in restitution.

Eric Aidoo, 46, of Columbus, Ohio, received a similar sentence of 71 months imprisonment and three years supervised release, in addition to restitution amounting to $668,228.

Another defendant, Nader Wasif, 31, of Brentwood, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to Obstruction of Justice and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, one year supervised release and ordered to pay $172,644 in restitution.

Major convictions in Ohio fraud case

In a separate case titled United States v. Otuo Amponsah, et al., additional defendants linked to the fraud network also received substantial prison sentences.

Otuo Amponsah, 34, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment, three years supervised release and ordered to pay $3.32 million in restitution.

Portia Joe, 28, also of Columbus, Ohio, received 51 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay more than $2.03 million in restitution.

Anna Amponsah, 35, was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment alongside restitution of approximately $1.44 million.

Hannah Adom, 27, of Akron and Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to 71 months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution amounting to $278,894.

Dwayne Asafo Adjei, who had already been sentenced in the earlier case, received an additional 71-month sentence to run concurrently with his existing prison term.

Collectively, U.S. authorities say defendants who have already pleaded guilty in the interconnected cases have been sentenced to nearly 50 years imprisonment.

One defendant awaiting sentencing

Another accused person, Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, 37, of Cleveland, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy but is yet to be sentenced.

American prosecutors indicated that sentencing proceedings are expected to take place after further court reviews.