The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, alongside FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia, has announced the unsealing of an indictment against four Ghanaian nationals accused of running a vast cyber fraud operation.

The defendants — Isaac Oduro Boateng (a.k.a. “Kofi Boat”), Inusah Ahmed (a.k.a. “Pascal”), Derrick Van Yeboah (a.k.a. “Van”), and Patrick Kwame Asare (a.k.a. “Borgar”) — are alleged to have been key figures in an international network responsible for stealing more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.

Authorities confirmed that Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah were extradited from Ghana and arrived in the U.S. on August 7, 2025.

They are set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Asare remains at large. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.

“These defendants allegedly played leading roles in a sprawling fraud ring that targeted vulnerable individuals and companies,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.

“Online criminals should understand that the FBI and our global law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue them, no matter where they operate.”

FBI Assistant Director Raia added: “Defrauding elderly victims by posing as romantic partners and deceiving companies into wiring funds is both reprehensible and criminal. The FBI will continue to bring such perpetrators to justice.”

According to the indictment, the accused were senior members of a Ghana-based syndicate that executed two primary schemes:


  • Romance scams — Victims, often older men and women, were tricked into believing they were in genuine relationships with individuals who were, in reality, fake identities controlled by the conspirators. Once trust was built, victims were persuaded to send money or help launder illicit funds.

  • Business email compromises (BEC) — The group allegedly infiltrated company email systems or posed as legitimate contacts to trick businesses into wiring large sums to accounts controlled by the network.

In total, the operation allegedly stole and laundered over $100 million. The proceeds were funneled to West Africa, primarily to individuals known as “chairmen,” who directed the group’s activities. Prosecutors say Boateng and Ahmed served as such chairmen.

Boateng, 36; Ahmed, 40; Van Yeboah, 40; and Asare, 39, each face:


  • One count of wire fraud conspiracy – up to 20 years in prison

  • One count of wire fraud – up to 20 years

  • One count of money laundering conspiracy – up to 20 years

  • One count of conspiracy to receive stolen money – up to 5 years

  • One count of receipt of stolen money – up to 10 years

Sentences will be determined by a judge if the defendants are convicted.

U.S. prosecutors praised the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, including Ghana’s Office of the Attorney-General, Economic and Organized Crime Office, Police Service – INTERPOL, Cyber Security Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI were also key in securing the extraditions.

The prosecution is being handled by the Southern District’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner.

The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.