Two Ghanaian nationals, including Isaac Oduro Boateng, popularly known as “Kofi Boat”, have pleaded guilty to their roles in an international fraud syndicate that stole and laundered more than US$100 million from victims across the United States.
Boateng and his co-accused, Inusah Ahmed, also known as “Pascal”, admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before a US federal court.
According to the US Department of Justice, Boateng entered his guilty plea on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while Ahmed pleaded guilty on October 27 before US District Judge Arun Subramanian.
The two men reportedly served as chairmen of the criminal network, which was largely based in Ghana and targeted individuals and businesses through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.
The syndicate created fake online identities to establish romantic relationships with victims, particularly older men and women, before persuading them to send money or help transfer proceeds from other fraudulent activities.
It also deceived businesses into transferring funds to bank accounts controlled by the network.
Investigators established that the organisation stole and laundered more than US$100 million from dozens of victims.
Boateng has agreed to pay US$12.5 million in restitution and forfeiture, while Ahmed is responsible for approximately US$28.5 million.
Both men pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Their sentencing dates are yet to be announced.
Another member of the network, Derrick Van Yeboah, known as “Van”, has already been sentenced to 85 months in prison, while an alleged accomplice, Patrick Kwame Asare, also known as “Borgar”, remains at large.
Boateng and Ahmed were extradited to the United States on August 7, 2025, following cooperation between Ghanaian and American law enforcement agencies.
The US Department of Justice acknowledged the assistance of Ghana’s Attorney General’s Office, EOCO, Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau and Financial Intelligence Centre in the investigation and extradition process.
