Federal authorities have announced the unsealing of an indictment against four Ghanaian nationals for their alleged involvement in an international fraud ring that stole over $100 million. The suspects, Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, Derrick van Yeboah, and Patrick Kwame Asare, are accused of being high-ranking members of a Ghana-based criminal organization. This group allegedly used sophisticated schemes, including romance scams and business email compromises, to defraud dozens of victims across the U.S., many of whom were vulnerable individuals. Three of the defendants—Boateng, Ahmed, and van Yeboah—have been successfully extradited to the United States from Ghana and are now in custody.
The criminal enterprise allegedly targeted individuals and businesses with two primary fraud methods. In the case of romance scams, the conspirators are said to have created fake online identities to build trust with their victims, often older men and women. Once they gained the victims’ confidence, they would deceive them into sending money directly to the criminal organization or into laundering funds from other victims. The second method, business email compromises, involved tricking companies into wiring large sums of money to bank accounts controlled by the fraud ring. Together, these scams resulted in the theft and laundering of more than $100 million.
According to the indictment, the stolen funds were then funneled to West Africa and directed by high-ranking members of the organization known as “chairmen.” Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed have been identified as two of these chairmen, allegedly overseeing the activities of the other conspirators. Following their extradition, Boateng, Ahmed, and van Yeboah are set to face a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Patrick Kwame Asare, the fourth defendant, remains at large and is being sought by authorities.
The four individuals face multiple charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to receive stolen money. Each of the wire fraud and money laundering charges carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, highlighting the severity of the alleged crimes. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI worked closely with law enforcement agencies in Ghana to secure the extraditions and bring the defendants to the U.S. for prosecution. The charges are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia praised the cooperative efforts of the U.S. and Ghanaian law enforcement agencies. “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,” Clayton stated. Raia emphasized the importance of holding those who exploit vulnerable people and businesses accountable, stating that the FBI would continue to ensure that anyone who preys on Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system.
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