Two Ghanaian nationals who played leading roles in an international online fraud syndicate that stole more than US$100 million from victims in the United States are facing up to 20 years in prison after admitting their involvement in the criminal operation.
Isaac Oduro Boateng, alias “Kofi Boat”, and Inusah Ahmed, known as “Pascal”, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before a US federal court, acknowledging their roles in managing and supervising the criminal organisation.
The US Department of Justice said Boateng entered his guilty plea on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while Ahmed pleaded guilty on October 27, 2026, before US District Judge Arun Subramanian.
The two men, who were extradited from Ghana to the United States in August 2025, were identified in court documents as chairmen of the syndicate, which operated primarily from Ghana and targeted individuals and businesses across the United States.
The criminal network relied on romance scams and business email compromise schemes to defraud its victims.
In the romance scams, members created fake online identities and established relationships with unsuspecting individuals, particularly older men and women. After gaining their confidence, they manipulated the victims into sending money or assisting in laundering funds obtained from other victims.
The syndicate also targeted businesses by compromising email communications and deceiving them into transferring money into accounts controlled by the organisation.
Investigators established that the network stole and laundered more than US$100 million from dozens of victims, with the proceeds subsequently transferred to West Africa.
As part of their guilty pleas, Boateng accepted responsibility for US$12,529,213.98 in restitution and forfeiture, while Ahmed agreed to pay US$28,574,002.
Both men, aged 37 and 41 respectively, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. Their sentencing dates are yet to be announced.
The case has also resulted in the conviction of another syndicate member, Derrick Van Yeboah, popularly known as “Van”, who was sentenced to 85 months in prison.
However, Patrick Kwame Asare, also known as “Borgar”, who is alleged to have been involved in the operation, remains at large.
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, said the guilty pleas demonstrated that international borders would not shield individuals involved in financial crimes against Americans from prosecution.
She said Boateng and Ahmed helped supervise a criminal enterprise that exploited people seeking companionship and turned their trust into an avenue for stealing millions of dollars.
The US Department of Justice also commended Ghanaian security and law enforcement agencies for their cooperation in investigating the network and facilitating the extradition of the two men.
The agencies included the 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.
Boateng and Ahmed were extradited to the United States on August 7, 2025, following cooperation between Ghanaian and American authorities.
