Two Ghanaians plead guilty in $100m romance scam conspiracy in US

Two Ghanaian nationals have pleaded guilty to their roles in an international criminal organisation accused of stealing more than US$100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting individuals and businesses across the United States.

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced that Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as “Kofi Boat,” entered his guilty plea on October 29, 2026, while Inusah Ahmed, alias “Pascal,” pleaded guilty on October 27, 2026.

Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before US 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 belonged to a criminal organisation based primarily in Ghana that targeted people and businesses across the United States through romance scams and business email compromise fraud.

Many of the victims were older men and women who were deceived into believing they were in romantic relationships with people they had met online. The identities were allegedly fabricated and operated by members of the organisation.

After gaining the victims’ trust, the conspirators persuaded them to send money to the group or assist in laundering funds obtained from other victims.

The organisation also allegedly targeted businesses through email compromise schemes, manipulating them into transferring money to accounts controlled by the criminal enterprise.

In total, the group stole and laundered more than US$100 million from dozens of victims, with the proceeds subsequently transferred to West Africa.

Court filings identify Boateng and Ahmed as “chairmen” of the organisation who helped manage and supervise its activities.

Boateng is being held responsible for approximately US$12.5 million in victim losses, while Ahmed is responsible for about US$28.5 million.

Boateng, 37, and Ahmed, 41, both of Ghana, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offence that carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

Boateng agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture of US$12,529,213.98. Ahmed also agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture, amounting to US$28,574,002.

The potential maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress. The actual sentences, however, will be determined by the judge.

The court had earlier sentenced another member of the organisation, Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as “Van,” to 85 months in prison.

A fourth defendant, Patrick Kwame Asare, alias “Borgar,” remains at large.

US authorities acknowledged the support of several American and Ghanaian institutions in the investigation and the extradition of Boateng and Ahmed on August 7, 2025.

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

Other agencies involved included the US 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.

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

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