Kofi Boat, Inusah Ahmed plead guilty in US$100m international romance scam

Kofi Boat

Two Ghanaian nationals have pleaded guilty in the United States to their roles in an international fraud network that defrauded victims of more than US$100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.

Isaac Oduro Boateng, popularly known as “Kofi Boat”, and Inusah Ahmed, also known as “Pascal”, admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before a US federal court after being implicated in the management and supervision of the criminal organisation, which operated mainly from Ghana.

According to the US Department of Justice, Boateng entered his guilty plea on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while Ahmed pleaded guilty on October 27, 2026, before US District Judge Arun Subramanian.

Court documents identified the two men as chairmen of the criminal network, which targeted individuals and businesses across the United States through sophisticated online fraud schemes.

The organisation primarily preyed on vulnerable older men and women by creating fictitious online identities and developing romantic relationships with them. After gaining their confidence, members persuaded victims to send money directly to the group or help launder proceeds obtained from other unsuspecting individuals.

The network also defrauded businesses through business email compromise schemes, manipulating them into transferring funds into bank accounts controlled by its members.

Investigations revealed that proceeds from the fraudulent operations were laundered to West Africa, with the organisation stealing and laundering more than US$100 million from dozens of victims.

Boateng has been held responsible for approximately US$12.5 million in losses, while Ahmed is accountable for about US$28.5 million.

Under their plea agreements, Boateng accepted restitution and forfeiture obligations totalling US$12,529,213.98, while Ahmed agreed to pay US$28,574,002.

The two men, aged 37 and 41 respectively, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offence punishable by a maximum prison term of 20 years.

Their sentencing dates are yet to be announced.

Another member of the organisation, Derrick Van Yeboah, popularly known as “Van”, has already been convicted and sentenced to 85 months in prison.

However, Patrick Kwame Asare, also known as “Borgar”, who is alleged to have been part of the network, remains at large.

Announcing the guilty pleas, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, said the case demonstrated that international borders would not shield individuals involved in financial crimes against Americans from prosecution.

He said Boateng and Ahmed helped oversee an organisation that exploited people searching for companionship, turning their trust into an opportunity to defraud them of millions of dollars.

The US Attorney also recognised the assistance of Ghanaian security and law enforcement institutions in the investigation and extradition of the two suspects.

The agencies included the Attorney General's Office and its International Cooperation Unit, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau and Financial Intelligence Centre.

Boateng and Ahmed were extradited to the United States on August 7, 2025, following cooperation between Ghanaian and American authorities.