By Our Reporter
Three Ghanaian men accused of running a vast online fraud scheme that swindled more than $100 million from American individuals and businesses have been extradited to the United States.
According to federal prosecutors in New York, Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as “Kofi Boat,” Inusah Ahmed, known as “Pascal,” and Derrick van Yeboah, called “Van,” were flown from Ghana and arrived in the US on August 7. They are due to appear before magistrate judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan. A fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare, also known as “Borgar,” remains at large.
The men are accused of being senior figures in an international criminal organisation based in Ghana that allegedly targeted vulnerable Americans — particularly elderly victims — through romance scams, as well as defrauding companies using business email compromise schemes.
Jay Clayton, US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said the case underscored the determination of American law enforcement to pursue cybercriminals wherever they are.
“Offshore scammers should know that we, the FBI, and our law enforcement partners will work around the world to combat online fraud and bring perpetrators to justice,” he said.
Christopher G. Raia, FBI assistant director in charge of the New York Field Office, described the alleged crimes as both “appalling” and illegal.
“Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship in order to exploit their trust and finances… the FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system,” he said.
How the scheme allegedly worked
Prosecutors say the group operated by creating fake online identities to lure victims into sham romantic relationships. Once trust was gained, victims were persuaded to send money directly to the organisation or help move funds stolen from others. Businesses, meanwhile, were allegedly targeted through compromised email accounts that tricked employees into wiring large sums to the scammers.
Investigators allege the proceeds were laundered through various channels before being funnelled to Ghana, where they were largely controlled by individuals referred to as “chairmen” — a role prosecutors say Boateng and Ahmed held.
Charges and potential penalties
Boateng, 36; Ahmed, 40; van Yeboah, 40; and Asare, 39, each face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to receive stolen money, and receipt of stolen money.
The most serious counts carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, though sentencing will ultimately be decided by a judge if the defendants are convicted. All four are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
International cooperation
The extradition was coordinated between the US Department of Justice and Ghanaian authorities, including the Attorney-General’s International Cooperation Unit, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service’s INTERPOL unit, the Cyber Security Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
The case is being handled by the US Attorney’s Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, with assistant US attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner leading the prosecution.
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