Two Ghanaian nationals, Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as “Kofi Boat,” and Inusah Ahmed, popularly known as “Pascal,” have pleaded guilty to their roles in an international criminal organisation that stole and laundered 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 the guilty pleas, confirming that Boateng, 37, pleaded guilty on October 30, 2026, while Ahmed, 41, pleaded guilty on October 27, 2026.
Both men pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud before US District Judge Arun Subramanian.
According to the indictment and public court filings, the two men were members of a criminal organisation primarily based in Ghana that operated romance scams and business email compromise schemes against victims across the United States.
The organisation reportedly targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly older men and women, by creating fake identities and establishing online romantic relationships with them. After gaining their victims’ trust, members of the group persuaded them to transfer money or assist in laundering funds obtained from other victims.
The group also targeted businesses through business email compromise schemes, manipulating them into transferring funds to accounts controlled by the criminal enterprise.
Prosecutors said the organisation stole and laundered more than US$100 million from dozens of victims, with the proceeds subsequently transferred to West Africa.
Boateng and Ahmed reportedly served as chairmen of the organisation, playing supervisory and managerial roles in its operations.
Boateng is being held responsible for approximately US$12.5 million in victim losses, while Ahmed is linked to approximately US$28.5 million in losses.
As part of their guilty pleas, Boateng agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture amounting to US$12,529,213.98, while Ahmed agreed to pay US$28,574,002 in restitution and forfeiture.
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Their actual sentences will, however, be determined by the court.
Meanwhile, another member of the organisation, Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as “Van,” has already been sentenced to 85 months in prison by Judge Subramanian.
Another co-defendant, Patrick Kwame Asare, popularly known as “Borgar,” remains at large.
In announcing the guilty pleas, US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the outcome demonstrated that geographical borders would not prevent individuals who defraud Americans from facing justice before US courts.
McDonald added that the organisation exploited the emotional vulnerability of victims by turning their search for companionship and trust into an opportunity to steal millions of dollars.
He also acknowledged the collaboration of several Ghanaian and US law enforcement agencies in investigating the case and securing the extradition of Boateng and Ahmed on August 7, 2025.
The agencies included Ghana’s Attorney General’s Office and its International Cooperation Unit, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau and Financial Intelligence Centre, alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other US law enforcement agencies.
Source: Office of the United States Attorney, Southern District of New York.
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