Ghanaians Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed, known as Kofi Boat and Pascal, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in New York. US prosecutors described the two men as 'chairmen' of a network that stole and laundered more than $100 million from victims across the United States. The two were extradited from Ghana to the United States on August 7, 2025. Their case is before Judge Arun Subramanian of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The US Department of Justice reported that the network stole and laundered more than $100 million from victims across the country, many of whom were vulnerable older adults. Kofi Boat, 37, and Pascal, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on October 29 and 27, 2026, respectively. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Judge Subramanian will determine their sentences, though no sentencing date has been announced.
US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the case shows that "geographic borders will not shield those who exploit Americans from facing justice in our courts." Prosecutors said members of the network used fake identities to pose as romantic partners online. After building trust, they persuaded victims to send money or to help launder funds taken from other victims. The group also ran business email compromise schemes, tricking companies into wiring money to the enterprise.
Stolen proceeds were then laundered to West Africa. McDonald said the defendants exploited victims' "search for companionship," turning their trust "into a means of stealing millions." As part of their pleas, the two men agreed to pay restitution and forfeit money linked to the fraud. Kofi Boat is held responsible for about $12.5 million in victim losses and agreed to pay $12,529,213.98 in restitution and the same amount in forfeiture.
Pascal, responsible for about $28.5 million in losses, agreed to pay $28,574,002 each in restitution and forfeiture. Together, their restitution comes to more than $41 million. Several Ghanaian agencies, the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra and other US agencies supported the investigation. Derrick Van Yeboah, known as "Van," was previously sentenced by Judge Subramanian to 85 months in prison.
Another member, Patrick Kwame Asare, known as "Borgar," remains at large. The case is being handled by the US Attorney's Office's Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant US Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner are prosecuting. In a separate US romance fraud case, Ghanaian twins Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, known as Arrangement and Lancaster, pleaded guilty on October 13, 2026.
The 22-year-old twins entered their pleas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the Northern District of Ohio. According to the US Justice Department, their scheme caused losses of more than $9 million. Both agreed to forfeit luxury watches, rings, chains, medallions and earrings seized at their arrest. The twins are due to be sentenced on February 9, 2027.
Key points
- - Kofi Boat and Pascal pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a $100m US romance scam case. - The two men agreed to pay over $41 million in restitution. - The case highlights the international cooperation in bringing those who exploit Americans to justice.
