The U.S. authorities have secured the extradition of three Ghanaian nationals accused of running a fraud operation that stole over $100 million from victims through romance scams and business email compromise (BEC) attacks.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director in Charge, Christopher G. Raia, announced the unsealing of an indictment against Isaac Oduro Boateng (36), also known as “Kofi Boat”; Inusah Ahmed (40), known as “Pascal”; Derrick Van Yeboah (40), known as “Van”; and Patrick Kwame Asare (39), known as “Borgar.”
Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah arrived in the United States on August 7, 2025, after being extradited from Ghana, and are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Asare remains at large. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
Romance Scams Targeting the Vulnerable
Prosecutors allege that the four men were senior figures in a Ghana-based criminal organization operating between 2016 and May 2023. The group allegedly conducted romance scams to exploit vulnerable, often elderly, Americans and conducted elaborate business email compromise schemes to siphon funds from U.S. companies.
Victims were contacted via social media, text messages, and online dating platforms.
In romance scams, conspirators built fake romantic relationships to gain trust before requesting large sums of money under false pretenses. Many victims lived alone and were persuaded not only to send money but also to assist in laundering funds from other victims.
In BEC schemes, the group allegedly hacked or spoofed legitimate business emails to trick companies into wiring payments to bank accounts controlled by the fraud ring. These accounts were often held by “money mules” or shell companies in industries ranging from auto sales to freight trucking.
FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia said:
“Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship 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.”
Laundering Millions to West Africa
Once stolen, the funds were allegedly channelled through layers of middlemen who took a cut before transferring the rest to West Africa. Large portions of the proceeds were directed to “chairmen” — high-ranking leaders in the network — a role prosecutors say was held by both Boateng and Ahmed.
According to the Department of Justice, individual transfers often exceeded several hundred thousand dollars. The scale of the operation reflects the growing global reach of cyber-enabled fraud, with networks capable of moving vast sums across continents while evading detection for years.
Charges and Potential Sentences
All four defendants face multiple federal charges:
- Wire fraud conspiracy (maximum 20 years)
- Wire fraud (maximum 20 years)
- Money laundering conspiracy (maximum 20 years)
- Conspiracy to receive stolen money (maximum 5 years)
- Receipt of stolen money (maximum 10 years)
If convicted on all counts, each defendant could face up to 75 years in prison. The charges are currently allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
U.S. and Ghana Law Enforcement Cooperation
The extradition was the result of extensive collaboration between U.S. and Ghanaian authorities, including Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, the Cyber Security Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Ghana’s Attorney-General’s Office International Cooperation Unit played key roles in securing the extradition.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton commended the joint effort, 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.”
The Growing Threat of Romance Scams and BEC Fraud Case
This case comes amid rising trends in cybercrime, particularly in romance scams and BEC fraud, both of which have been identified as high-impact crimes by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, losses from internet-enabled crimes reached $16 billion last year, a 33% increase from 2023. Romance scams continue to disproportionately target older Americans, often leading to devastating financial and emotional consequences.
BEC schemes remain one of the most financially damaging cybercrimes, as attackers exploit human trust and business communication vulnerabilities to reroute legitimate payments.
The FBI report highlights that in the past five years, IC3 recorded 4.2 million complaints with over $50.5 billion in total losses. Since its inception in 2000, IC3 has received more than 9 million complaints, illustrating the scale and persistence of online fraud.
A Global Problem with Local Impact
While this fraud ring was based in Ghana, its reach extended deep into U.S. communities, draining life savings from elderly individuals and disrupting legitimate business operations. Prosecutors say the extradition underlines a critical message: international borders are no protection for cybercriminals.
This high-profile prosecution also signals a growing willingness among nations to cooperate in tackling cybercrime. Ghana’s decision to extradite its nationals reflects strengthening law enforcement ties and the recognition that cyber fraud is a global threat requiring a unified response.
What Happens Next
Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah will face federal court proceedings in New York, where prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit will lead the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner are handling the prosecution.
Asare, still at large, is the subject of an ongoing international manhunt, with law enforcement urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward.
Protecting Against Similar Cyber Scams
Authorities continue to advise the public to exercise caution in online interactions, especially with individuals they have never met in person. Key preventive measures include:
- Verifying email requests for payments or sensitive data.
- Being cautious of unsolicited online relationships that escalate quickly.
- Avoiding sending money or personal information to unknown parties.
- Consulting trusted friends or family before making financial commitments.
The FBI encourages victims of romance scams or BEC attacks to file a report through the IC3.gov portal as quickly as possible to increase the chances of recovering lost funds.
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