In a bold international law enforcement operation, senior officials from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have unsealed a major indictment against four Ghanaian nationals—Isaac Oduro Boateng (aka “Kofi Boat”), Inusah Ahmed (“Pascal”), Derrick van Yeboah (“Van”), and Patrick Kwame Asare (“Borgar”)—for their alleged roles in an expansive fraud and money laundering network valued at over $100 million. Three of the men—Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah—have been extradited from Ghana and are now in U.S. custody, while Asare remains at large.
Table of Contents
Charged with Romance Scams and Business Email Compromise
According to the indictment, the four individuals were part of a Ghana-based criminal organization that executed a coordinated campaign of romance fraud and business email compromise (BEC) across the United States. The alleged schemes targeted vulnerable senior citizens—lured into online relationships with fake personas—and unauthorized transfers from businesses through deceptive email activity.
Also read: Okada Theft Youth Rise At Adenta
Victims were manipulated into sending funds directly to accounts controlled by the syndicate or asked to assist in laundering money from other victims. Authorities report the operation netted more than $100 million, revealing the scale and sophistication of the illicit enterprise.
Extradition and Initial Legal Proceedings
The extradited trio—Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah—arrived in the United States on August 7, 2025, and were immediately presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. The case has since been assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian for further proceedings.
This operation was the fruit of international cooperation. In addition to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia announcing the action, Ghanaian authorities—including the Economic and Organized Crime Office, INTERPOL, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, and the Office of the Attorney-General’s International Cooperation Unit—were pivotal in securing the extraditions.
Legal Charges and Penalties
The defendants face multiple serious charges, each carrying significant penalties:
- Wire Fraud Conspiracy – up to 20 years in prison
- Wire Fraud – up to 20 years in prison
- Money Laundering Conspiracy – up to 20 years in prison
- Conspiracy to Receive Stolen Money – up to 5 years in prison
- Receipt of Stolen Money – up to 10 years in prison
While these figures represent maximum penalties, actual sentencing will be determined by the courts after trial.
Quotes from U.S. Law Enforcement
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the seriousness of the offences, stating that the suspects “led and participated in an international fraud ring” that exploited both elderly individuals and businesses. He underscored that offshore scammers will not evade justice, referencing the collaborative efforts of the DOJ and FBI to dismantle such operations.
FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia added that the schemes were particularly egregious due to their targeting of vulnerable Americans and corporate entities through deceptive emotional attachments and email manipulation. Raia reassured the public of the FBI’s unwavering commitment to prosecuting online predators.
Broader Significance and Next Steps
This case marks one of the largest transcontinental fraud schemes to target U.S. citizens and companies via Ghanaian-based operations. It also demonstrates the growing threat and reach of BEC and romance scams worldwide, and the necessity of international cooperation in pursuing cybercriminals.
With Asare still at large, investigators are actively seeking his whereabouts. Meanwhile, Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah remain in custody in New York, facing extradition proceedings and formal trials.
For internet users, this case is a stark reminder: never share personal or financial details online, regardless of how authentic a virtual relationship may feel. For businesses, it’s critical to maintain cybersecurity protocols to defend against email fraud.
The successful extraditions and unsealing of this indictment reinforce that digital crimes may cross borders—but justice can too.
