Fake Lovers, Real Money: 10 key points to note

Two Ghanaian men accused of helping to run an international fraud syndicate that allegedly stole more than US$100 million from individuals and businesses in the United States have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as ‘Kofi Boat’, 37, and Inusah Ahmed, alias ‘Pascal’, 41, admitted their roles in the criminal organisation before a US federal court, following an investigation into a series of romance scams and business email compromise schemes that targeted dozens of victims across the country.

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Boateng entered his guilty plea on October 29, 2026, while Ahmed pleaded guilty on October 27, 2026, before US District Judge Arun Subramanian.

The two men were identified in court documents as ‘chairmen’ of the syndicate, which was allegedly based primarily in Ghana and operated an elaborate network of online fraud schemes to deceive victims and move stolen funds across international borders.

The case is significant not only because of the scale of the alleged fraud but also because it exposes how online romance scams and corporate email manipulation can operate under one international criminal network.

The guilty pleas, the financial obligations and the involvement of Ghanaian law enforcement agencies provide three strong angles for the story.

10 key points to note

1. Two Ghanaian nationals plead guilty: Isaac Oduro Boateng, 37, known as Kofi Boat, and Inusah Ahmed, 41, known as Pascal, admitted their roles in the international fraud conspiracy.

2. More than US$100 million stolen: The criminal organisation stole and laundered over US$100 million from dozens of victims across the United States.

3. Romance scams used as bait: Members allegedly created fake online identities to establish romantic relationships with older Americans before persuading them to send money.

4. Businesses were also targeted: The syndicate used business email compromise (BEC) schemes to manipulate companies into transferring funds to accounts controlled by the organisation.

5. Both men were described as chairmen: Court filings identified Boateng and Ahmed as individuals who helped manage and supervise the criminal organisation.

6. Boateng's financial liability: He was held responsible for approximately US$12.5 million in victim losses.

7. Ahmed's financial liability: He was held responsible for approximately US$28.5 million in victim losses.

8. Over US$41 million in restitution: Their agreed restitution amounts total US$41,103,215.98. Importantly, the forfeiture obligations are also set at the same respective amounts, making the combined restitution and forfeiture figures approximately US$82.2 million.

9. One member already sentenced: Derrick Van Yeboah, alias Van, received an 85-month prison sentence, while Patrick Kwame Asare, alias Borgar, remains at large.

10. Ghanaian institutions assisted: Several Ghanaian security and investigative agencies, including EOCO, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority and the Attorney General's Office, supported the investigation and extradition process.

EA