Saturday, July 18, 2026

Three Ghanaians extradited to U.S. over alleged $100 million romance wire fraud

The FBI said that it was working with its partners across the globe to combat online fraud.

• August 9, 2025
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Three Ghanaians, Isaac Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick van Yeboah, were on Thursday extradited to the U.S. for stealing “more than $100 million from victims via romance scams and business email compromises.”

The trio “arrived in the U.S. on August 7, 2025,” and will be presented to face trial “before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger,” a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York on Friday said, adding that the fourth member of the gang, Patrick Asare, was at large.

According to the statement, Boateng, 36; Ahmed, 40; Van Yeboah, 40; and Asare, 39, each of Ghana, are charged with one-count of wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one-count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one-count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one-count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one-count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said that it was working with its partners across the globe to combat online fraud and bring  “offshore scammers” to justice.

The Ghanaian trio, FBI Assistant Director, Christopher G. Raia, said “have been brought to the United States to be held accountable for their alleged roles in scamming companies and vulnerable Americans out of over $100 million.
“Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship in order to exploit their trust and finances is not merely appalling but illegal.”

He noted that the gang after defrauding vulnerable Americans, laundered the proceeds to “West Africa, where they were largely funnelled to individuals called ‘chairmen,’ who directed the activities of other members of the conspiracy.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Nigerian Independent System Operator

States

NISO announces planned outage on Jos-Bauchi-Gombe transmission line

The system operator commended electricity market participants and electricity consumers in the affected areas for their understanding and cooperation.

Tems

Showbiz

Tems emerges first African female artist to clinch Diamond single in US

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer,Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has become the first African female artist to earn a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Diamond-certified single

Bombed Russian warehouses

World

Seven die, over 40 injured as Ukraine bombs Russian warehouses in overnight reprisal 

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a post on X, said the attack was a response to Russia’s earlier attack on its civilian infrastructure.

A composite photo of Davido and Rihanna

Showbiz

I desire music collaboration with Rihanna, says Davido

The “I Know Who I Be” crooner however expressed uncertainty about the collaboration happening anytime soon.

FUHSO VC Prof. Francis Uba

Education

Benue varsity VC seeks improved security for institution, host communities

Mr Fulata advised the university management to ensure prudent and transparent utilisation of available resources.

Imo State gov, Hope Uzodimma (Credit: Nairametics)

NationWide

Tinubu’s reforms helped to increase Imo revenue from N400 million to N6 billion monthly: Uzodimma

Mr Dare said that the bold economic decisions taken since the administration’s inception in May 2023 had defined the positive trajectory of Nigeria’s governance.