Three Ghanaians Extradited to the U.S. for Alleged Cybercrime Network
Three Ghanaians accused of masterminding a vast international cybercrime network arrived in the United States this week.
Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah landed in New York on August 7th following extradition from Ghana. They face federal charges for allegedly stealing more than $100 million through elaborate romance scams and business email frauds targeting vulnerable Americans, many elderly.
Criminal Network Operations
The group operated a sophisticated Ghana-based network that tricked victims into sending large sums, often by posing as romantic partners online or hijacking legitimate business email threads. Funds were allegedly laundered through figures known as “chairmen,” who coordinated the criminal activities. Boateng and Ahmed are believed to have held leadership roles within the organization.
Legal Proceedings and Condemnation
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton condemned the scheme as a massive conspiracy exploiting trust and vulnerability. The defendants face serious federal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years. FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to pursuing cybercriminals globally, especially those targeting the elderly.
Collaboration and Prosecution
The successful extradition resulted from close collaboration between U.S. agencies, Ghana’s Attorney-General, the Economic and Organized Crime Office, INTERPOL, and the Ghana Police Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner are prosecuting the case for the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.
