The United States has charged four Ghanaian nationals with running an international criminal enterprise that defrauded individuals and businesses of more than $100 million through elaborate romance scams and business email compromises, federal prosecutors announced on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as “Kofi Boat,” Inusah Ahmed, known as “Pascal,” and Derrick Van Yeboah, known as “Van,” were extradited from Ghana and arrived in the US on August 7.
They were expected to appear before US Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan the same day.
The fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare, also known as “Borgar,” remains at large.
“As alleged, Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, Derrick van Yeboah, and Patrick Kwame Asare led and participated in an international fraud ring that engaged in a massive conspiracy to defraud vulnerable people and steal from businesses,” said US Attorney Jay Clayton.
“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 said the defendants “have been brought to the United States to be held accountable for their alleged roles in scamming companies and vulnerable Americans out of over $100 million.”
He added: “Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship in order to exploit their trust and finances is not merely appalling but illegal.
"The FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system.”
According to the indictment, the accused were senior members of a Ghana-based network that used false identities to establish online relationships with victims—many of them older men and women—persuading them to transfer money or launder funds stolen from others.
The group also infiltrated corporate email systems to deceive businesses into wiring money to accounts controlled by the syndicate.
Prosecutors allege that after securing the funds, the network laundered the proceeds through West Africa, where they were handled by ringleaders known as “chairmen.”
Boateng and Ahmed were identified as such leaders within the organization.
All four defendants face five federal counts: wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to receive stolen money, and receipt of stolen money.
Each wire fraud-related count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the other charges carry sentences ranging from five to ten years.
Sentencing will be determined by a judge if convictions are secured.
Mr Clayton praised the “outstanding work of the FBI” and thanked Ghana and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Ghana’s International Cooperation Unit, Economic and Organized Crime Office, Police Service – Interpol, Cyber Security Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau to secure the extraditions.
The case is being prosecuted by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner.