Ghanaian Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in US Prison for $1.6M Romance Scam Racket

A 43-year-old Ghanaian woman based in Maryland has been handed a 70-month prison sentence for her central role in a sophisticated romance scam that bilked over $1.6 million from vulnerable victims across the United States. Nana Takyiwa Adonu, who lived in Odenton, Maryland, received the sentence on July 22, 2026, in the Southern District of Iowa federal court.

The Scam Operation

Court documents reveal that Adonu was a key operative in a wider criminal conspiracy that used deceptive tactics to extract money from unsuspecting people. The scheme centred on creating fake profiles across dating platforms and social media, where scammers posed as romantic interests to build trust with victims. Once emotional bonds were established, perpetrators would fabricate financial emergencies or business opportunities, convincing victims to send substantial sums of money.

To launder the illicit proceeds, Adonu established and operated "Han-Dak LLC," a shell company through which stolen funds were channelled. Many victims sent their entire life savings, believing they were helping a genuine romantic partner. The human cost was severe: victims liquidated retirement accounts, sold homes and vehicles, returned to work after retirement, and borrowed heavily from family and friends. One Iowa victim alone lost more than $55,000.

Investigation and Cover-Up Attempts

When federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation confronted Adonu, she attempted to obstruct the investigation through deception. She falsely claimed Han-Dak LLC was a legitimate garment production company operating in China. When presented with a federal grand jury subpoena, she produced fabricated invoices and fake customer lists in a bid to conceal her involvement.

Beyond the 70-month prison term, Adonu was ordered to pay $1,655,640.76 in restitution to her victims. Following her release, she will be subject to three years of supervised release. Her co-defendant in the scheme, Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold, received an even longer sentence of 108 months in prison in March 2026 and was similarly ordered to pay over $1.5 million in restitution.

Why It Matters for Ghana

This case highlights a troubling pattern where individuals of Ghanaian origin are implicated in transnational fraud networks that harm innocent people abroad. Beyond the immediate legal consequences, such cases damage Ghana's international reputation and create broader suspicions about crime originating from West Africa. For Ghanaians living or working overseas, high-profile cases like this can fuel negative stereotyping and discrimination.

The sentencing also underscores how romance scams exploit psychological vulnerability rather than targeting specific nationalities. However, the visibility of Ghanaian perpetrators in US court systems means Ghana's diaspora communities and legitimate businesses may face heightened scrutiny from immigration and law enforcement authorities.

Victims of romance scams—a growing problem globally—should report suspicions to local law enforcement and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3). The message from federal prosecutors is clear: those who facilitate financial fraud through shell companies and cross-border schemes will face substantial prison time and be required to repay victims in full.