$100m Romance scam: Kofi Boat, three others charged by US Attorneys

Federal prosecutors in New York have announced charges against four Ghanaian nationals accused of operating a transnational fraud network that allegedly stole more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, together with Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who stated that an indictment had been unsealed against Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as “Kofi Boat,” Inusah Ahmed, also known as “Pascal,” Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as “Van,” and Patrick Kwame Asare, also known as “Borgar,” for their purported involvement in an organized criminal enterprise engaged in these schemes.

Authorities confirmed that Ghana approved the extradition of Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah, who landed in the United States on August 7, 2025. They are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Asare, the fourth suspect, has not yet been apprehended. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.

“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 U.S. 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.”

“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,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia.

“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.”

Prosecutors allege the four men were senior figures in a Ghana-based network that carried out romance scams and hacked into business email systems to divert payments. Many of those targeted were older Americans persuaded into believing they were in genuine online relationships with fictitious personas created by the scammers.

Once trust was secured, victims were convinced either to transfer their own money to the group or to assist in moving funds obtained from other targets. Businesses were also deceived into sending payments to accounts under the control of the organization. The indictment claims the operation took and laundered more than $100 million from numerous victims.

According to the charges, the stolen money was transferred to West Africa and distributed to individuals known as “chairmen,” who managed the network’s activities. Boateng and Ahmed are described as holding chairman roles.

Boateng, 36; Ahmed, 40; Van Yeboah, 40; and Asare, 39, each of Ghana, are charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton commended the FBI for its work and acknowledged the collaboration of Ghanaian authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs in arranging the extraditions. Ghana’s Attorney-General’s Office, Economic and Organized Crime Office, Police Service – INTERPOL, Cyber Security Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau all played roles in the process.

The prosecution is being led by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner overseeing the case. The defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.