Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging four Ghanaian nationals with running an international fraud operation that stole more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromises.
Three of the suspects — Isaac Oduro Boateng, 36, also known as “Kofi Boat”; Inusah Ahmed, 40, also known as “Pascal”; and Derrick Van Yeboah, 40, also known as “Van” — were extradited from Ghana and arrived in the United States on August 7. They are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. A fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare, 39, also known as “Borgar,” remains at large.
Massive Fraud Scheme Targeted Elderly and Businesses
According to prosecutors, the four were high-ranking members of a Ghana-based criminal organization that used fake online identities to target vulnerable elderly Americans, convincing them they were in romantic relationships and persuading them to send money or assist in laundering stolen funds.
The group also carried out business email compromise schemes, tricking companies into wiring large sums to accounts controlled by the organization. In total, more than $100 million was stolen and laundered to West Africa, much of it funneled to “chairmen” who