BY Issah Olegor
The United States has arestted three Ghanaian nationals accused of playing leading roles in a sophisticated international fraud syndicate that defrauded victims of more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.
On August 7, 2025, Isaac Oduro Boateng (36), also known as “Kofi Boat,” Inusah Ahmed (40), known as “Pascal,” and Derrick Van Yeboah (40), called “Van,” were flown from Ghana to New York to face charges in the Southern District of New York.
A fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare (39), alias “Borgar,” remains at large.
According to the unsealed indictment, the four men were senior figures in a Ghana-based criminal organization that targeted vulnerable individuals—particularly older Americans—by creating fake online romantic identities.
After gaining victims’ trust, they allegedly manipulated them into sending money or laundering funds obtained from other victims.
The syndicate also ran elaborate business email compromise scams, deceiving companies into wiring large sums to accounts controlled by the group.
Investigators say the operation laundered its illicit proceeds back to West Africa, funnelling much of it to criminal bosses known as “chairmen,” who oversaw the syndicate’s network of scammers.
Prosecutors allege that both Boateng and Ahmed acted as such chairmen.
The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, substantive wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to receive stolen funds, and receipt of stolen funds.
Each wire fraud-related count carries a maximum 20-year prison term, while other charges range between five and 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton described the case as a clear warning to offshore fraudsters: “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will work around the world to combat online fraud and bring perpetrators to justice.”
FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia condemned the alleged exploitation of elderly victims and corporate targets, calling it “not merely appalling but illegal.”
The extradition was the result of joint work between the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Ghanaian agencies, including the Economic and Organized Crime Office, INTERPOL Ghana, the Cyber Security Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
The case is being prosecuted by the Southern District of New York’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner.
Prosecutors stress that the charges remain allegations until proven in court.
If convicted on all counts, the accused could face decades in federal prison.
