US$100m romance scam: Two Ghanaians ‘Kofi Boat’ and ‘Pascal’ plead guilty, face 20-year jail term

Two Ghanaian nationals, Isaac Oduro Boateng, popularly known as Kofi Boat, and Inusah Ahmed, also known as Pascal, have pleaded guilty in the United States to their involvement in an international fraud network that stole more than US$100 million from victims through online romance scams and business email fraud.

The two men, who were described by American prosecutors as leaders of the criminal organisation, admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before US District Judge Arun Subramanian in New York.

Boateng, 37, entered his guilty plea on October 29, 2026, while Ahmed, 41, pleaded guilty on October 27.

According to a statement issued by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the criminal network operated primarily from Ghana and targeted individuals and businesses across the United States.

Investigators established that members of the organisation used fake online identities to establish romantic relationships with unsuspecting victims, many of whom were older Americans seeking companionship.

After gaining their trust, the fraudsters persuaded the victims to send money under various false pretences. In some cases, victims were also convinced to receive and transfer money obtained from other individuals, unknowingly becoming involved in the laundering of fraudulent proceeds.

The organisation also targeted businesses through email fraud schemes, using deceptive communications to persuade companies to transfer funds into accounts controlled by members of the network.

According to US prosecutors, the organisation stole and laundered more than US$100 million from dozens of victims, with proceeds subsequently transferred to West Africa.

Court documents identified Boateng and Ahmed as two of the organisation's chairmen who exercised supervisory and managerial responsibilities over its activities.

Prosecutors attributed approximately US$12.5 million in victim losses to Boateng and US$28.5 million to Ahmed.

As part of their guilty pleas, Boateng agreed to restitution and forfeiture in the amount of US$12,529,213.98 each.

Ahmed also agreed to restitution and forfeiture, with each amount fixed at US$28,574,002.

Both men face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. However, their actual sentences will be determined by the presiding judge after considering the applicable legal factors.

Announcing the guilty pleas on October 29, US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the convictions demonstrated that individuals involved in international financial crimes could still face prosecution in American courts regardless of where they operated.

He described the organisation's conduct as an exploitation of vulnerable individuals who had placed their trust in people they believed were genuinely interested in romantic relationships.

The case has already resulted in the sentencing of another Ghanaian, Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as Van, to 85 months in prison.

Another alleged member of the organisation, Patrick Kwame Asare, popularly known as Borgar, remains at large.

Boateng and Ahmed were extradited from Ghana to the United States on August 7, 2025, following cooperation between Ghanaian and American law enforcement agencies.

The US Attorney's Office acknowledged assistance from Ghana's Attorney-General's Office and its International Cooperation Unit, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau and Financial Intelligence Centre.

American agencies involved included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs and the Department of State.

The prosecution is being handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

The two men now await sentencing following their guilty pleas.