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Two Ghanaian men have admitted to helping run an international fraud network that stole and laundered more than US$100 million from victims in the United States through romance scams and business email fraud.
Isaac Oduro Boateng, 37, also known as “Kofi Boat”, and 41-year-old Inusah Ahmed, known as “Pascal”, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a US federal court.
Boateng entered his plea on October 30, 2026, while Ahmed pleaded guilty on October 27, 2026, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Both men were described in court filings as chairmen of the organisation, which was primarily based in Ghana and targeted dozens of individuals and businesses across the US. Prosecutors said Boateng had a supervisory and managerial role in the network and was responsible for approximately US$12.5 million in losses.
Ahmed was also said to have held a supervisory position and was linked to about US$28.5 million in losses.
The organisation allegedly used fake online identities to establish relationships with victims in romance scams. Its members presented themselves as potential partners, with many of those targeted being vulnerable older men and women.
Once trust had been established, victims were persuaded to send money to accounts controlled by the network. Some were also deceived into helping launder funds obtained from other victims.
In separate business email compromise schemes, companies were manipulated into transferring money to accounts operated by the organisation. The proceeds were then laundered and moved to West Africa, according to the indictment and other court documents.
As part of their plea agreements, Boateng and Ahmed accepted responsibility for restitution and forfeiture matching the losses attributed to them.
Boateng agreed to pay US$12,529,213.98 in restitution and the same amount in forfeiture. Ahmed agreed to pay US$28,574,002 in restitution, together with an equal forfeiture payment.
Their combined restitution obligation is US$41,103,215.98, with an identical amount agreed in forfeiture.
Another Ghanaian national connected to the network, Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as “Van”, has already been sentenced. US District Judge Arun Subramanian imposed an 85-month prison term for his involvement.
A further alleged accomplice, Patrick Kwame Asare, known as “Borgar”, remains at large, the US Attorney’s Office said.
US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the pleas showed that international borders would not protect those who defrauded Americans.
“These guilty pleas demonstrate that geographic borders will not shield those who exploit Americans from facing justice in our courts,” McDonald said.
“Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed helped supervise an international criminal organisation that preyed on vulnerable Americans, exploiting their search for companionship and turning their trust into a means of stealing millions. Together with their coconspirators, they orchestrated a massive fraud that stole more than $100 million from victims across the country.”
Both defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years. The US Attorney’s Office said that figure is set by Congress and does not determine the punishment they will receive. Their sentences will be decided by the presiding judge.
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