The indictment alleges the defendants laundered stolen funds to West Africa, where “chairmen” directed operations.
The United States has charged four Ghanaian nationals in connection with an international fraud ring accused of stealing over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromises.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Isaac Oduro Boateng, a.k.a. “Kofi Boat,” Inusah Ahmed, a.k.a. “Pascal,” Derrick Van Yeboah, a.k.a. “Van,” and Patrick Kwame Asare, a.k.a. “Borgar,” allegedly defrauded vulnerable individuals—many elderly—and U.S. businesses.
Ghana extradited Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah, who arrived in the U.S. on August 7, 2025. Asare remains at large.
“As alleged, they led and participated in an international fraud ring… to defraud vulnerable people and steal from businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia called the scams “not merely appalling but illegal.”
The indictment alleges the defendants laundered stolen funds to West Africa, where “chairmen” directed operations. Boateng and Ahmed were considered chairmen.
They face multiple charges, including wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies, each carrying up to 20 years in prison.
The case is being handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.