Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced the extradition of three Ghanaian nationals—Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah—for their alleged roles in a sophisticated international criminal organization that defrauded victims of over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise (BEC) schemes.
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| According to the FBI, the trio allegedly belonged to a transnational criminal organisation |
A fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare, remains at large.
The trio arrived in New York on August 7, 2025, and are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger, with the case assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
The Alleged Scheme
According to the indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the four men were senior members of a Ghana-based criminal network.
The organization targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly Americans, through romance scams, deceiving them into believing they were in genuine online relationships.
Once trust was established, victims were manipulated into sending money or assisting in laundering funds obtained from other victims.
The network also executed BEC schemes, compromising business email accounts to trick companies into wiring large sums to fraudulent accounts.
The conspiracy allegedly stole and laundered over $100 million from dozens of victims across the United States. The stolen funds were funneled to West Africa, primarily to individuals referred to as “chairmen,” who directed the group’s operations. Boateng and Ahmed are alleged to have served in these leadership roles.
Charges and Potential Penalties
The suspects—Boateng, 36; Ahmed, 40; Van Yeboah, 40; and Asare, 39—face multiple federal charges, including:
- Wire fraud conspiracy: Maximum sentence of 20 years in prison
- Wire fraud: Maximum sentence of 20 years
- Money laundering conspiracy: Maximum sentence of 20 years
- Conspiracy to receive stolen money: Maximum sentence of 5 years
- Receipt of stolen money: Maximum sentence of 10 years
These penalties are statutory maximums set by Congress, with actual sentencing to be determined by a judge if convictions occur. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
International Cooperation
The extradition was a result of close collaboration between U.S. and Ghanaian authorities. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs worked with Ghana’s Office of the Attorney-General, Economic and Organized Crime Office, Ghana Police Service–INTERPOL, Cyber Security Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau to secure the extraditions.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton praised Ghana’s cooperation, emphasizing that “offshore scammers should know” that international law enforcement will pursue them relentlessly.
FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia described the alleged crimes as “appalling,” highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and businesses. He reaffirmed the FBI’s commitment to combating cyber-enabled crimes and ensuring perpetrators face justice.
Broader Context
This case is part of the FBI’s intensified efforts to crack down on cyber-enabled crimes, including romance scams and BEC schemes, which have surged in recent years.
Romance scams typically involve cultivating fake online relationships to exploit victims financially, while BEC schemes target companies by redirecting payments to fraudulent accounts.
The FBI’s collaboration with international partners, such as INTERPOL and Ghanaian authorities, underscores the global nature of these crimes and the need for cross-border cooperation.
The extradition follows a May 2023 indictment by the Southern District of New York, which prompted a formal extradition request relayed through the U.S. Embassy in Accra.
Ghana’s Interior Minister, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, signed an arrest warrant on March 18, 2025, under the Extradition Act of 1960, facilitating the suspects’ transfer to the U.S.
Ongoing Investigation
The case is being prosecuted by the Southern District of New York’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner. Authorities continue to search for Patrick Kwame Asare, urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward.
This extradition marks a significant step in addressing transnational cybercrime, sending a strong message to fraudsters operating across borders.
As the legal process unfolds, the FBI and its partners remain vigilant in their efforts to protect vulnerable individuals and businesses from such schemes.