Four Ghanaian nationals have been charged in the United States for orchestrating an international criminal network that stole over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromises, US officials announced Thursday.
Isaac Oduro Boateng (“Kofi Boat”), Inusah Ahmed (“Pascal”), Derrick Van Yeboah (“Van”), and Patrick Kwame Asare (“Borgar”) stand accused of leading a sophisticated fraud ring targeting vulnerable individuals and businesses across the US.
Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah were extradited from Ghana and arrived in the US on August 7, where they appeared before Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Asare remains at large.
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, condemned the scam, stating, “Offshore scammers should know that we, the FBI, and our law enforcement partners will work around the world to combat online fraud and bring perpetrators to justice.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge, Christopher G. Raia added, “Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship is not merely appalling but illegal. The FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online faces justice.”
According to the indictment, the four operated a criminal organisation based in Ghana that duped older adults into fake online romantic relationships, convincing them to send money or assist in laundering stolen funds. The group also hacked business email accounts to deceive companies into wiring millions to their enterprise.
Proceeds were laundered back to West Africa, directed by “chairmen” who managed operations; Boateng and Ahmed were identified as key leaders.
The defendants, aged between 36 and 40, face multiple charges including wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and receipt of stolen money—each carrying up to 20 years in prison.
The US Department of Justice praised Ghanaian authorities, including the Economic and Organized Crime Office, INTERPOL, Cyber Security Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau, for their crucial role in securing the extraditions.
The case is being prosecuted by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the US Attorney’s Office, led by Assistant US Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner.
