The United States government and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have pursued several Ghanaians over alleged fraud, including romance scams targeting elderly American citizens.
Some cases have involved the seizure of assets that US authorities allege were acquired through criminal proceeds.
Some of the individuals have pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to forfeit their assets.
Here are some of the Ghanaians whose assets have been seized by US authorities, along with the value of the assets involved in their cases:
Abu Trica
US authorities, through their international partners, have seized a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz, and a BMW in connection with the case against Abu Trica, who was extradited to the US over alleged romance fraud.
US documents disclosed that Abu Trica has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy and faces up to 20 years imprisonment.
He is alleged to have been part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States since 2023 and defrauded more than 80 elderly victims out of more than $8 million.
Abubakari Twins
Jamal Abubakari, aka Arrangement, and his brother, Kamal Abubakari, aka Lancaster, have also had their luxury assets seized and forfeited after reportedly pleading guilty to charges linked to an international criminal network that used romance scams to defraud victims, most of whom were older Americans.
According to a US document sighted by GhanaWeb, the forfeited assets include luxury jewelry and timepieces, such as watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings.
Nana Kwabena Amuah
A 2019 Lamborghini Urus was seized from Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale in connection with financial crimes committed by Nana Kwabena Amuah, currently serving an 86-month prison sentence in the United States.
Amuah, described by US prosecutors as the “leader” of a criminal conspiracy, was sentenced in October 2023 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The conspiracy resulted in the attempted theft of nearly $4 million from the city of Lexington, Kentucky, among other victims.
Source: Ghanaweb
