Four Ghanaian Nationals Indicted for $100 Million International Fraud Scheme, Extradited to the U.S
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, alongside FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director in Charge, Christopher G. Raia, announced the unsealing of an indictment against four Ghanaian nationals—Isaac Oduro Boateng (aka “Kofi Boat”), Inusah Ahmed (aka “Pascal”), Derrick Van Yeboah (aka “Van”), and Patrick Kwame Asare (aka “Borgar”). They are charged with orchestrating an international crime ring that defrauded victims of over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromises.
Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah were extradited from Ghana and arrived in the U.S. on August 7, 2025, where they will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Asare remains at large. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
“As alleged, these individuals led a criminal organization that preyed on vulnerable people and businesses, executing a massive conspiracy to defraud them,” stated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.
FBI Assistant Director Raia emphasized the FBI’s commitment to combating online fraud, stating, “The defendants have been brought to the United States to face justice for scamming companies and vulnerable Americans out of over $100 million. The FBI will ensure that anyone who exploits individuals or businesses online is held accountable.”
The indictment details how Boateng, Ahmed, Van Yeboah, and Asare were key figures in a network based in Ghana that executed romance scams and business email compromises targeting individuals and businesses in the U.S. Many victims were unsuspecting older adults who were led to believe they were in genuine online romantic relationships with impersonated individuals.
Upon gaining their victims’ trust, the conspirators coerced them into sending money to the organization or assisted in laundering funds stolen from other victims. Additionally, they used business email compromises to trick companies into wiring funds fraudulently.
The criminal organization is alleged to have stolen and laundered over $100 million in total. After the funds were taken, the proceeds were sent to West Africa, where they were predominantly directed to individuals known as “chairmen,” who oversaw the operations of the organization. Both Boateng and Ahmed were recognized as chairmen.
The indictment charges each of the four defendants with multiple counts, including wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, with potential maximum sentences of up to 20 years in prison for each count. The maximum sentences are dictated by Congress, and the actual sentencing will be determined by a judge.
U.S. Attorney Clayton commended the FBI for their diligent work and expressed gratitude to Ghanaian authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their cooperation in facilitating the extraditions.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner.
It is important to note that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
