Ghanaian nationals extradited to New York in $100M romance-scam and business email compromise case

The Big Picture

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, an international fraud ring based in Ghana stole and laundered more than $100 million from victims across the United States through romance scams and business email compromise schemes. The press release names four defendants — Isaac Oduro Boateng (“Kofi Boat”), Inusah Ahmed (“Pascal”), Derrick Van Yeboah (“Van”), and Patrick Kwame Asare (“Borgar”) — and alleges they were high-ranking members of the organization. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

What’s New

Ghana extradited Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah to the United States on August 7, 2025; they were to be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Asare remains at large. Prosecutors allege the ring cultivated online relationships with older Americans — persuading victims to send funds or help move money — while also hijacking business communications to reroute corporate payments. After the proceeds were collected, investigators say the money was laundered to West Africa and funneled to “chairmen” who directed the network’s operations.

What They’re Saying

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the defendants “led and participated in an international fraud ring that engaged in a massive conspiracy to defraud vulnerable people and steal from businesses,” adding that U.S. authorities “will work around the world to combat online fraud and bring perpetrators to justice,” as quoted by the press release.

What’s Next

Each defendant faces five counts: wire fraud conspiracy (max 20 years), wire fraud (max 20 years), money-laundering conspiracy (max 20 years), conspiracy to receive stolen money (max 5 years), and receipt of stolen money (max 10 years). Actual sentences, if any, would be determined by the court. Prosecutors credited the FBI, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and Ghanaian authorities — including the International Cooperation Unit of the Office of the Attorney-General of Ghana, the Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, the Economic and Organized Crime Office, the Cyber Security Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau — for assisting with the extraditions. The matter is being handled by SDNY’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner leading the prosecution.

The Bottom Line

This case underscores an aggressive cross-border push against online fraud targeting both companies and older Americans. With three defendants now in Manhattan federal court and a fourth still at large, the investigation moves from international pursuit to litigation — and a renewed reminder to treat unsolicited online relationships and unexpected payment requests with caution.

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Editor’s note: Quotes and case details are drawn from the SDNY press release referenced on first mention. The charges are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.