Three Ghanaian nationals have been extradited to the United States to face charges for their alleged roles in a sophisticated international criminal organization that stole over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromises.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI revealed that Isaac Oduro Boateng, 36, Inusah Ahmed, 40, and Derrick Van Yeboah, 40, arrived in the U.S. on August 7, 2025, following their extradition from Ghana.
Patrick Kwame Asare, 39, remains at large.
The extradited suspects are scheduled to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.
A Sprawling Fraud Scheme
According to the indictment, Boateng, Ahmed, Van Yeboah, and Asare were high-ranking members of a Ghana-based criminal enterprise that orchestrated widespread fraud targeting individuals and businesses across the United States.
The group allegedly defrauded victims—many of whom were vulnerable elderly individuals—through romance scams, convincing them they were in online relationships with fictitious personas.
After gaining their trust, the conspirators manipulated victims into sending money or laundering funds from other schemes. The group also executed business email compromises, deceiving companies into wiring funds to accounts controlled by the organization.
In total, the conspiracy is accused of stealing and laundering more than $100 million from dozens of victims. The stolen funds were funneled to Ghana and distributed to “chairmen” like Boateng and Ahmed, who directed the group’s operations.
“As alleged, Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, Derrick van Yeboah, and Patrick Kwame Asare led and participated in an international fraud ring that engaged in a massive conspiracy to defraud vulnerable people and steal from businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.
“Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship in order to exploit their trust and finances is not merely appalling but illegal,” said FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia.
“The FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system.”
Charges and Potential Penalties
Each defendant faces multiple charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to receive stolen money, and receipt of stolen money.
These charges carry maximum sentences ranging from 5 to 20 years in prison.
International Cooperation
The extraditions were made possible through collaboration between the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Ghanaian authorities, including Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, and Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau.
This article was edited with AI and reviewed by human editors
