Two Ghanaian nationals have pleaded guilty to their roles in an international cybercrime syndicate that defrauded victims across the United States of more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.
Isaac Oduro Boateng, 37, popularly known as “Kofi Boat,” and Inusah Ahmed, 41, also known as “Pascal,” were described by US prosecutors as “chairmen” of the criminal organization, which was primarily based in Ghana.
The two entered their guilty pleas before US District Judge Arun Subramanian in the Southern District of New York. Boateng pleaded guilty on October 29, 2026, while Ahmed entered his plea on October 27.
Both admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
According to the indictment and court filings, the syndicate targeted individuals and businesses across the US. Its romance scams involved deceiving victims, many of them older men and women, into believing they were in online relationships with individuals operating under fake identities.
After gaining their trust, the fraudsters persuaded victims to send money or assist in laundering funds obtained from other victims.
The organization also carried out business email compromise schemes, tricking businesses into transferring money, with the proceeds subsequently laundered to West Africa.
Prosecutors said Boateng and Ahmed played supervisory and management roles in the syndicate. Boateng is being held responsible for approximately $12.5 million in victim losses, while Ahmed is responsible for about $28.5 million.
As part of their guilty pleas, Boateng agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture of $12,529,213.98, while Ahmed agreed to pay $28,574,002 in restitution and forfeiture.
US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the guilty pleas demonstrated that international borders would not shield individuals involved in crimes targeting Americans from prosecution.
Meanwhile, another member of the syndicate, Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as “Van,” has been sentenced to 85 months in prison, while Patrick Kwame Asare, alias “Borgar,” remains at large.
