Two Ghanaians, Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their roles in an international romance scam. The scam, which was primarily based in Ghana, targeted individuals and businesses across the United States, stealing over $100 million. Boateng, also known as "Kofi Boat," and Ahmed, also known as "Pascal," were members of a criminal organization that used fake identities to trick victims into sending money.
According to the indictment and public court filings, the conspiracy's victims were mostly vulnerable older men and women who were deceived into believing they were in online romantic relationships with fake identities assumed by members of the conspiracy. Once trust was gained, victims were tricked into sending money to the enterprise or helping to launder funds from other victims. The conspirators also used business email compromise schemes to induce businesses to wire funds to the enterprise.
The conspiracy, which involved multiple members, stole and laundered over $100 million from dozens of victims. After stealing the money, the fraud proceeds were laundered to West Africa. Boateng and Ahmed were both "chairmen" of the conspiracy, playing a role in managing and supervising its activity. They were held responsible for significant victim losses, with Boateng responsible for approximately $12.5 million and Ahmed for approximately $28.5 million.
The guilty pleas were made before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, with Boateng pleading guilty on the day of the announcement and Ahmed pleading guilty on October 27, 2026. Both defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They have also agreed to make restitution and pay forfeiture, with Boateng agreeing to pay $12,529,213.98 and Ahmed agreeing to pay $28,574,002.
The case was handled by the Office's Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner in charge of the prosecution. The investigation involved cooperation from multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ghana Attorney General's Office, and Ghana Police Service. The extraditions of Boateng and Ahmed were secured on August 7, 2025.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced the guilty pleas, thanking the agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution. The case highlights the international cooperation required to combat complex cybercrime schemes. The sentencing of Boateng and Ahmed will be determined by the judge, with the maximum potential sentences prescribed by Congress.
The guilty pleas of Boateng and Ahmed mark a significant development in the case, which has already seen the sentencing of codefendant Derrick Van Yeboah to 85 months in prison. Another codefendant, Patrick Kwame Asare, remains at large. The case demonstrates the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat international cybercrime schemes and protect vulnerable individuals and businesses.
Key points
- Two Ghanaians pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their roles in an international romance scam that stole over $100 million.
- The scam targeted vulnerable older men and women who were tricked into sending money to the enterprise or helping to launder funds from other victims.
- The defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and have agreed to make restitution and pay forfeiture.
