Sunday, July 19, 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.”

ECOWAS

Hot news Home top

Tinubu urges ECOWAS to present united voice against Afro-phobic attacks in South Africa

Mr Tinubu condemned, in the strongest terms, the recent attacks on Nigerian citizens and other Africans in the Republic of South Africa.

Apprehended suspects

Hot news Home top

How I took N1million ransom to Osun after my five-year-old daughter’s abduction from Ibadan home: Mother

Mrs Gbemiga said the abduction caused anxiety and led to a call from an unknown person who initially demanded N10 million ransom.

Scene of the accident.

Heading 3

Three youngsters die, one battling for life as speeding vehicle rams into Abuja bridge

A FRSC Route Commander, Jubrin Lawal, who led the rescue operation, said that three of the four men in the vehicle died on the spot.

NRS

NationWide

NRS gives large taxpayers July 31 deadline for e-invoicing compliance

Mr Adekambi described large taxpayers as companies with gross turnover of N5 billion and above.

Basket of fruits

Abuja

Residents consider healthy diets amid concerns over processed foods

Mr Akuba said the growing public interest in food quality presented an opportunity to improve nutrition awareness across communities.