United States authorities have commended several Ghanaian security and intelligence institutions for their cooperation in an ongoing international investigation into romance fraud, money laundering and elder financial abuse schemes targeting elderly Americans.
David M. Toepfer acknowledged the support of multiple agencies in Ghana and the United States, describing the collaboration as critical to the investigation and prosecution process.
Among the Ghanaian institutions recognised were the Economic and Organised Crime Office, Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority and the Financial Intelligence Centre.
Other agencies acknowledged included the Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau and the Narcotics Control Commission.
International Collaboration
U.S. agencies involved in the investigation included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
Federal prosecutors noted that the indictment remains an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison are leading the prosecution in the Northern District of Ohio.
The investigation forms part of the U.S. Elder Justice Initiative established under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017, which seeks to combat elder abuse, financial fraud and scams targeting vulnerable elderly populations.
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