Two 'Chairmen' of Ghana-Based Romance Scam Ring Plead Guilty in New York

Published Nov. 2, 2026. Case statuses are current as of that date.

According to federal prosecutors in Manhattan, two Ghanaian men were "chairmen" of a criminal organization that used fake online sweethearts to win the trust of older Americans and then took their money. Prosecutors say the group stole and laundered more than $100 million.

Isaac Oduro Boateng, also known as "Kofi Boat," 37, of Ghana, and Inusah Ahmed, also known as "Pascal," 41, of Ghana, have each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Oct. 29, 2026 [1]. Ahmed pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, and Boateng on Oct. 29, both before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian. Neither has been sentenced.

How the scheme worked

According to the indictment and public court filings, as summarized by prosecutors [1]:

1. The fake identity. Members of the organization, "primarily based in Ghana," posed online as romantic partners. "Many of the conspiracy's victims were vulnerable older men and women who were tricked into believing that they were in online romantic relationships with persons who were, in fact, fake identities assumed by members of the conspiracy."
2. The trust. Once they had gained a victim's trust, the scammers "deceived those victims into sending their money to the enterprise or into helping them launder funds from other victims."
3. The business side. The group also ran business email compromise schemes "to induce businesses to wire funds to the enterprise."
4. The exit. The fraud proceeds "were then laundered to West Africa."

That second point deserves attention. Romance-scam victims are sometimes used as money movers, asked to receive and forward money from other victims. People in that position can face serious legal and financial trouble, even if they did not know the money was stolen.

The 'chairmen' and their co-defendants

Prosecutors say Boateng and Ahmed were both "chairmen" of the conspiracy, "and they played a role in managing and supervising its activity" [1].

• Isaac Oduro Boateng ("Kofi Boat") is being held responsible for approximately $12.5 million in victim losses. He agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture, each in the amount of $12,529,213.98.
• Inusah Ahmed ("Pascal") is being held responsible for approximately $28.5 million in victim losses. He agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture, each in the amount of $28,574,002.

Both men were extradited from Ghana on Aug. 7, 2025, with help from Ghanaian authorities and several U.S. agencies, according to the release. Conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum of 20 years in prison; any sentence will be decided by the judge.

The release also names two co-defendants:

• Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as "Van," was previously sentenced by Judge Subramanian to 85 months in prison.
• Patrick Kwame Asare, also known as "Borgar," "remains at large," according to prosecutors. The release does not report a conviction, and he is presumed innocent.

"Isaac Oduro Boateng and Inusah Ahmed helped supervise an international criminal organization that preyed on vulnerable Americans, exploiting their search for companionship and turning their trust into a means of stealing millions," U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said [1].

The release thanks the FBI and a long list of Ghanaian and U.S. agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner of the office's Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit are prosecuting. The release does not give sentencing dates.

Red flags

These are general warning signs of romance scams, not findings about any defendant:

• An online love interest you have never met in person, who always has a reason they can't meet or video chat.
• A quick move to private messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
• Any request for money, whether for an emergency, travel, customs fees, medical bills or an investment.
• Requests to receive money or packages and send them on. That can make you part of a laundering chain.
• Pressure to keep the relationship secret from family, friends or your bank.

For businesses: a sudden change in payment instructions by email, even from a known vendor or executive, is a classic sign of business email compromise. Confirm it by calling a number you already have on file.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Stop sending money and stop forwarding any funds or packages.
2. Talk to someone you trust. Romance scams depend on isolation.
3. Call your bank using the number on your card to try to stop or recall transfers.
4. Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Keep screenshots of profiles, chats and payment records.
5. Age 60 or older? The DOJ Elder Justice Hotline is 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11).

Case status (as of Nov. 2, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Nov. 2, 2026	Source
Isaac Oduro Boateng ("Kofi Boat"), 37, Ghana	Federal, S.D.N.Y.	Pleaded guilty Oct. 29, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; agreed to $12,529,213.98 restitution and forfeiture; awaiting sentencing	[1]
Inusah Ahmed ("Pascal"), 41, Ghana	Federal, S.D.N.Y.	Pleaded guilty Oct. 27, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; agreed to $28,574,002 restitution and forfeiture; awaiting sentencing	[1]
Derrick Van Yeboah ("Van")	Federal, S.D.N.Y.	Previously sentenced to 85 months	[1]
Patrick Kwame Asare ("Borgar")	Federal, S.D.N.Y.	Named as a co-defendant; at large. No conviction reported in the release; presumed innocent.	[1]

Those not convicted are presumed innocent. Statuses can change.

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York, "Two 'Chairmen' Of Ghana Romance Scam Conspiracy Plead Guilty," Oct. 29, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/two-chairmen-ghana-romance-scam-conspiracy-plead-guilty

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