On 8 August 2025, U.S. federal authorities announced the extradition of three Ghanaian nationals accused of leading an international fraud network that stole over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromises (BEC). The defendants, alleged high-ranking members of a Ghana-based syndicate, face multiple felony charges in the Southern District of New York.
According to the US Department of Justice, Isaac Oduro Boateng (“Kofi Boat”), Inusah Ahmed (“Pascal”), Derrick Van Yeboah (“Van”), and Patrick Kwame Asare (“Borgar”) operated as senior figures in a Ghana-based criminal enterprise. The group allegedly targeted individuals – many of them vulnerable elderly victims – and businesses across the United States.
Victims were lured into fraudulent online relationships or deceived by fake business correspondence crafted to mimic legitimate partners. These romance scams and BEC campaigns convinced victims to transfer large sums to accounts controlled by the syndicate.
Extradition to the U.S.
On 7 August 2025, Ghana extradited Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah to the United States. They were presented the following day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Asare remains at large. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
How the Scheme Worked
Romance Scams
Members created fake personas to establish trust with victims, then persuaded them to send money or launder funds from other victims. Many targets were older men and women, making them particularly susceptible to emotional manipulation.
Business Email Compromise
The group also conducted BEC attacks, impersonating executives or vendors to trick companies into authorizing fraudulent wire transfers.
Laundering to West Africa
Proceeds, totalling over $100 million, were laundered through networks in West Africa. Funds were largely funneled to senior operatives known as “chairmen,” with Boateng and Ahmed identified as such leaders.
Charges and Potential Penalties
All four defendants are charged with:
- Wire Fraud Conspiracy – up to 20 years in prison
- Wire Fraud – up to 20 years
- Money Laundering Conspiracy – up to 20 years
- Conspiracy to Receive Stolen Money – up to 5 years
- Receipt of Stolen Money – up to 10 years
Sentences will ultimately be determined by the court.
MEA and International Cooperation
The extradition was made possible through collaboration between the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Ghana’s International Cooperation Unit, Economic and Organized Crime Office, Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, Cyber Security Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau. This case underscores the growing capacity of West African agencies to partner in complex cybercrime cases.
Official Statements
“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,” — U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, Southern District of New York.
“The FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system,” — Christopher G. Raia, FBI Assistant Director in Charge, New York Field Office.
Actionable Takeaways for Security Leaders
- Educate employees on BEC tactics and conduct regular awareness training.
- Verify wire transfers with out-of-band confirmation before release.
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all email and financial systems.
- Monitor for compromised accounts and set up alerts for suspicious logins.
- Segment financial operations from general IT systems to limit breach impact.
- Conduct regular phishing simulations to identify at-risk staff.
- Report suspicious activity promptly to local law enforcement or cybercrime hotlines.
- Engage in cross-border intelligence sharing for fraud-related threat indicators.
Conclusion
The Ghana extraditions highlight a persistent global challenge: financially motivated cybercriminals leveraging social engineering and email compromise to steal at scale. The coordinated law enforcement effort between the U.S. and Ghana demonstrates increasing international resolve to dismantle such networks. For organizations, vigilance, layered security, and rapid incident reporting remain essential to prevent similar multi-million-dollar losses.
