Accra, Ghana — The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, together with FBI New York Field Office head Christopher G. Raia, has announced the unsealing of a major indictment against four Ghanaian nationals.
Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as “Kofi Boat,” Inusah Ahmed (“Pascal”), Derrick Van Yeboah (“Van”), and Patrick Kwame Asare (“Borgar”) are accused of running an international criminal syndicate that defrauded victims of more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.
Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah were extradited from Ghana and arrived in the United States on August 7, 2025, where they appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. The case is now assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian. Patrick Kwame Asare remains at large.
Prosecutors allege the group were “high-ranking” members of a Ghana-based criminal organization that targeted vulnerable individuals and businesses across the United States. Using fake online identities, they cultivated romantic relationships with mostly elderly victims, convincing them to send money or assist in laundering funds.
The syndicate also ran business email compromise schemes, tricking companies into wiring large sums into accounts controlled by the group. The proceeds were laundered through West Africa, with “chairmen” such as Boateng and Ahmed overseeing operations.
Each defendant faces multiple charges, including:
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Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
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Wire fraud
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Money-laundering conspiracy
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Conspiracy to receive stolen money
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Receipt of stolen money
The wire fraud counts carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while the other charges carry up to 5 to 10 years each.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the case highlights the global reach of U.S. law enforcement in fighting cybercrime. FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia condemned the exploitation of the elderly and businesses, vowing to continue pursuing such offenders.
Clayton also thanked Ghanaian authorities — including the Economic and Organized Crime Office, Ghana Police Service–INTERPOL, Cyber Security Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau — for their cooperation in the extradition.
The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.