Two Ghanaian nationals, Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed, have pleaded guilty in a US federal court to their roles in an international criminal organisation accused of stealing over $100 million through romance scams and business email fraud. The defendants, aged 37 and 41, admitted their involvement in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud before a US federal court. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Boateng entered his guilty plea on October 30, 2026, while Ahmed pleaded guilty on October 27, 2026.
The case involves an international criminal network primarily based in Ghana, which allegedly targeted individuals and businesses across the United States, stealing and laundering more than $100 million from dozens of victims. The organisation used romance scams and business email compromise schemes to defraud unsuspecting victims. In the romance scams, members of the network created fake identities and approached individuals through online platforms, pretending to establish genuine romantic relationships.
Many of those targeted were vulnerable older men and women who were deceived into believing they were communicating with genuine romantic partners. After gaining their victims' trust, the fraudsters persuaded them to transfer money to the criminal organisation. Some victims were also manipulated into helping launder money obtained from other targets. The network also employed business email compromise schemes, in which fraudsters deceived companies into transferring funds to accounts controlled by the organisation.
Investigators estimated that the conspiracy stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims across the United States. Boateng and Ahmed were described as chairmen of the criminal organisation, with both playing supervisory and managerial roles in its operations. The court filings indicate that Boateng is responsible for approximately $12.5 million in victim losses, while Ahmed is responsible for about $28.5 million.
As part of their guilty pleas, both men agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture equivalent to their respective amounts. Boateng agreed to pay $12,529,213.98 in restitution and an additional $12,529,213.98 in forfeiture. Ahmed, meanwhile, agreed to pay $28,574,002 in restitution and the same amount in forfeiture. The combined restitution obligations amount to $41,103,215.98, with an equal amount agreed in forfeiture.
Another Ghanaian national linked to the criminal organisation, Derrick Van Yeboah, was previously sentenced by US District Judge Arun Subramanian to 85 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy. However, another alleged accomplice, Patrick Kwame Asare, remains at large, according to the US Attorney’s Office. US authorities have warned that international borders will not protect individuals involved in criminal activities targeting Americans.
US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the guilty pleas demonstrated that international borders would not shield those who exploit Americans from facing justice in US courts. Boateng and Ahmed each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison following their guilty pleas. Their eventual punishment will be decided by the presiding judge.
Key points
- The two Ghanaian men, Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed, have agreed to pay a total of $41 million in restitution.
- The international criminal organisation is accused of stealing over $100 million through romance scams and business email fraud.
- The defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for their roles in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
