U.S. federal authorities have announced the extradition of three Ghanaian nationals linked to an international fraud ring accused of stealing over $100 million from American businesses and individuals, including elderly victims who were targeted through fake online romances.
Isaac Oduro Boateng (“Kofi Boat”), Inusah Ahmed (“Pascal”), and Derrick Van Yeboah (“Van”) were flown to the United States on Wednesday, August 7, after being extradited from Ghana. They are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court today, August 7, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.
A fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare (“Borgar”), remains at large.
READ ALSO:
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the defendants held leadership roles in a West Africa-based cybercrime syndicate responsible for a wave of romance scams and business email compromise (BEC) schemes.
What does this mean for you?
When citizens of a country are implicated in international fraud cases, it affects how other nations and their people perceive that country. Ghana has long been celebrated for its hospitality, peace, and growing international respect — but high-profile fraud cases like these risk tarnishing that image, especially among foreign investors and travelers.
In addition, whenever fraud schemes are traced to a particular group or nationality, ordinary citizens from that country often face tougher immigration processes, visa restrictions, and suspicion abroad. Law-abiding Ghanaians traveling, studying, or working overseas could experience increased questioning, background checks, or even prejudice due to the actions of a few.
The group allegedly used false identities to build emotional relationships with vulnerable Americans online, convincing many to transfer large sums of money or unknowingly launder funds stolen from others. In parallel, the same network hacked or spoofed email accounts to redirect payments from U.S. businesses into their control.
The FBI described the tactics as both exploitative and methodically orchestrated.
“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. The FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system,” said Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office.
U.S. authorities said the stolen money was funneled back to Ghana through a network of operatives and ringleaders known as “chairmen” – a title reportedly held by both Boateng and Ahmed.
The FBI credited Ghana’s government with critical support in the extradition effort. Agencies including the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, Cyber Security Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice and Ghana’s Office of the Attorney-General.
In recent years, Ghana has faced growing scrutiny as a hub for cyber-enabled fraud, with U.S. authorities regularly linking romantic and financial scams to West African syndicates. But high-profile extraditions like this remain uncommon.
This recent extradition becomes the latest in the FBI’s effort to clamp down on cybercrime and its related offences. In May 2025, Now Accra published the story involving popular socialite and businessman Dada Joe Remix, who was extradited to the US to face similar charges.