Two Ghanaians, Kofi Boat and Pascal, face up to 20 years in US over $100m romance fraud scheme

Two Ghanaian nationals have pleaded guilty to their roles in an international cybercrime syndicate that defrauded victims across the United States of more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.

Isaac Oduro Boateng, popularly known as “Kofi Boat”, 37, and Inusah Ahmed, also known as “Pascal”, 41, were described by US prosecutors as “chairmen” of the criminal organisation, which was primarily based in Ghana.

The two entered guilty pleas before US District Judge Arun Subramanian in the Southern District of New York.

Boateng pleaded guilty on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while Ahmed entered his plea on October 27. Both admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offence punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

“These guilty pleas demonstrate that geographic borders will not shield those who exploit Americans from facing justice in our courts,” US Attorney Jamie McDonald said.

“Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed helped supervise an international criminal organisation that preyed on vulnerable Americans, exploiting their search for companionship and turning their trust into a means of stealing millions. Together with their coconspirators, they orchestrated a massive fraud that stole more than $100 million from victims across the country.”

How the fraud scheme operated

According to the indictment and public court filings, Boateng and Ahmed were members of a criminal organisation that targeted individuals and businesses across the United States through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.

Many of the victims were vulnerable older men and women who were deceived into believing they were in online romantic relationships with people using fake identities created by members of the syndicate.

After gaining their trust, the fraudsters persuaded victims to send money to the organisation or assist in laundering funds obtained from other victims.

The syndicate also targeted businesses through business email compromise schemes, tricking them into transferring money. The proceeds were subsequently laundered to West Africa.

Millions of dollars in victim losses

Prosecutors said Boateng and Ahmed, described as “chairmen” of the conspiracy, played supervisory and management roles in its operations.

Boateng is being held responsible for approximately $12.5 million in losses suffered by victims, while Ahmed is responsible for approximately $28.5 million.

As part of their guilty pleas, Boateng agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture of $12,529,213.98, while Ahmed agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture of $28,574,002.

Judge Subramanian had earlier sentenced another member of the syndicate, Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as “Van”, to 85 months in prison.

Another alleged member, Patrick Kwame Asare, popularly known as “Borgar”, remains at large.

Ghanaian agencies assisted in extradition

US Attorney Jamie McDonald acknowledged the assistance of several Ghanaian and US agencies in the investigation and prosecution of the case.

The agencies included the Ghana Attorney General’s Office and its International Cooperation Unit, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Ghana Immigration Service, the National Intelligence Bureau and the Financial Intelligence Centre.

Other agencies included the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Sensitive Investigation Unit, US Customs and Border Protection, the US Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the US Department of State and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra.

Their cooperation helped secure the extradition of Boateng and Ahmed to the United States on August 7, 2025.

The case is being handled by the US Attorney’s Office Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, with Assistant US Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner leading the prosecution.