Inside the $1.6m romance scam that landed Ghanaian woman in US prison

The United States Department of Justice has revealed how a Ghanaian woman, Nana Takyiwa Adonu, and her accomplices allegedly used fake identities and online romantic relationships to scam victims out of millions of dollars.

In a statement issued on July 30, 2026, it disclosed that Adonu used fake online relationships to convince victims they were in genuine romantic relationships before persuading them to send money.

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Court documents said the scammers created fake profiles on dating websites and social media platforms to gain the trust of their victims.

Once the relationships developed, the victims were asked to send money for different reasons, including helping their supposed partners travel so they could finally meet.

Investigators said the money was paid into a company owned by Adonu, Han-Dak LLC, which received more than $1.6 million from victims.

One victim alone lost more than $55,000 to the romance scheme.

“According to public court documents, Nana Takyiwa Adonu, 43, of Odenton, Maryland, played an integral role in an extensive romance scam conspiracy. As part of the scam, individuals create fake profiles on internet dating sites and other social media platforms to exploit victims for financial gain.

“Adonu operated “Han-Dak LLC,” a company that she used to receive money from victims. Adonu received over $1.6 million from victims, including over $55,000 from a victim living in the Southern District of Iowa,” portions of the statement read.

The Department of Justice said many of the victims emptied their retirement savings, sold their homes and vehicles, returned to work after retirement, and borrowed money from family and friends because they believed they were helping someone they loved.

“The victims sent Adonu money at the request of their purported romantic partners, believing it would be used to facilitate uniting them with their partner, among other things. Many victims drained their retirement accounts, sold their homes and vehicles, returned to work after retirement, and borrowed substantial sums from friends and family,” it narrated.

The statement further added that Adonu, during interrogation by the FBI, claimed Han-Dak LLC was a genuine clothing business that manufactured garments in China.

Investigators, however, said she later submitted fake invoices, customer lists, and other documents in an attempt to cover up the scheme.

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She has since been found guilty and sentenced to 70 months in prison.

She has also been ordered to repay $1,655,640.76 to the victims and serve three years of supervised release after completing her prison sentence.

MAG/VPO

Lawyer Maurice Ampaw on judicial corruption, national issues and Christian faith