A nearly decade-long investigation has led to the indictment of four Ghanaian nationals accused of running a highly organized internet fraud scheme that defrauded individuals and businesses in the United States of more than $100 million.
The suspects Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as Kofi Boat; Inusah Ahmed, alias Pascal; Derrick Van Yeboah, known as Van; and Patrick Kwame Asare, nicknamed Borgar are alleged to have orchestrated a complex network of romance scams and business email compromises, affecting victims across several U.S. states, including New York’s Southern District.
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According to an unsealed indictment, the group operated under the Ghanaian slang term “sakawa” referring to internet-based fraud. They allegedly targeted lonely, often elderly victims by posing as romantic partners using fake online identities. Once emotional trust was secured, the victims were persuaded to send money to accounts controlled by the group. Internally, the conspirators reportedly referred to victims as “clients” and illicit proceeds as “clean money,” believing such victims were unlikely to immediately report the fraud.
The scheme also involved business email compromise (BEC) tactics. The indictment details how the group created email addresses similar to legitimate company accounts to impersonate employees or associates. They then tricked businesses into authorising large transfers to their own accounts — a method they called “Ali Baba”. Forged letters and fake signatures were used to make the transactions appear authentic.
Prosecutors say the stolen funds were channelled through U.S.-based middlemen who ran shell companies, often posing as car dealers, food importers, or freight forwarders. These intermediaries took a percentage before sending the remainder to West Africa. At the top of the network, Boateng and Ahmed allegedly acted as “chairmen,” overseeing operations, while Van Yeboah played a key role in romance scams and Asare assisted in executing fraudulent deals.
The arrests followed a joint operation between U.S. and Ghanaian authorities. On August 7, 2025, Boateng, Ahmed, and Van Yeboah were extradited to the United States and appeared before a magistrate judge the next day. Asare remains on the run.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton vowed to hold the defendants accountable, warning that international scammers will be pursued globally. FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia described the crimes as both financially and emotionally devastating, calling the exploitation of vulnerable victims “appalling and illegal.”
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The accused face multiple charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and receiving stolen funds each carrying potential sentences of five to 20 years. Authorities are also moving to seize any assets linked to the alleged crimes in an effort to recover funds for victims.
As proceedings continue, the case stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of online fraud and the far-reaching arm of law enforcement in tracking down those accused of orchestrating such schemes.
