Two “Chairmen” Of Ghana Romance Scam Conspiracy Plead Guilty

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced today that ISAAC ODURO BOATENG, a/k/a “Kofi Boat,” and INUSAH AHMED, a/k/a “Pascal,” plead guilty for their roles in an international criminal organization that stole more than $100 million from victims via romance scams and business email compromises. BOATENG pled guilty today, and AHMED pled guilty on October 27, 2026. Both defendants pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.

“These guilty pleas demonstrate that geographic borders will not shield those who exploit Americans from facing justice in our courts,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed helped supervise an international criminal organization 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.”

According to the Indictment and public court filings:

BOATENG and AHMED were members of a criminal organization primarily based in Ghana that committed romance scams and business email compromises against individuals and businesses located across the United States. Many of the conspiracy’s victims were vulnerable older men and women who were tricked into believing that they were in online romantic relationships with persons who were, in fact, fake identities assumed by members of the conspiracy. Once members of the conspiracy had gained the trust of their victims, they deceived those victims into sending their money to the enterprise or into helping them launder funds from other victims. The conspirators also used business email compromise schemes to induce businesses to wire funds to the enterprise. In total, the conspiracy stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims. After stealing the money, the fraud proceeds were then laundered to West Africa.

BOATENG and AHMED were both “chairmen” of the conspiracy, and they played a role in managing and supervising its activity. BOATENG is being held responsible for approximately $12.5 million in victim loss and AHMED for approximately $28.5 million in victim loss.

Judge Subramanian previously sentenced codefendant DERRICK VAN YEBOAH, a/k/a “Van,” to 85 months in prison. Codefendant PATRICK KWAME ASARE, a/k/a “Borgar,” remains at large.

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BOATENG, 37, of Ghana, and AHMED, 41, of Ghana, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. BOATENG agreed to make restitution and pay forfeiture, both in the amount of $12,529,213.98. AHMED also agreed to make restitution and pay forfeiture, both in the amount of $28,574,002.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. McDonald thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ghana Attorney General’s Office and its International Cooperation Unit, Economic Organised Crime Office, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Cyber Security Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana Financial Intelligence Centre, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Sensitive Investigation Unit, U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra for securing the August 7, 2025 extraditions of BOATENG and AHMED.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner are in charge of the prosecution.

Source: United State Attorney’s Office
South District of New York

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