Ghanaian twin brothers Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, popularly known as Arrangement and Lancaster, have pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a case involving losses exceeding $9 million.
According to the US Department of Justice, the 22-year-old brothers entered their guilty pleas on October 13, 2026, over their alleged involvement in an international romance fraud scheme that targeted mostly elderly Americans.
Prosecutors say the operation ran from July 2024 to April 2026, with the defendants and their alleged co-conspirators using fake identities on dating websites and social media platforms to establish close, often romantic, relationships with victims.
The victims were subsequently persuaded to transfer money to financial accounts controlled by members of the network, with portions of the proceeds allegedly sent to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.
Authorities say victims included residents of 25 US states, as well as Germany and Austria.
Luxury jewellery to be forfeited
As part of their plea agreements, the brothers have agreed to forfeit jewellery seized during their arrests. The items include luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.
Sentencing in February 2027
The brothers each face a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison. However, their actual sentences will be determined by a federal judge after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant legal factors.
Their sentencing is scheduled for February 9, 2027
The investigation was led by the FBI’s Cleveland Division, with assistance from several Ghanaian institutions, including the Attorney-General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service and the Financial Intelligence Centre.
