Three Ghanaian nationals, including an alleged cybercrime kingpin, are currently facing extradition to the United States in connection with a massive $100 million fraud scheme. The elaborate operation involved sophisticated Business Email Compromise (BEC) and romance scams, as learned by GhanaWeb.
The suspects, identified as Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, also known as Kofi Boat; a man identified only as Agony; and a third accomplice, were apprehended on Friday, June 13, in a joint operation spearheaded by Interpol and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). GhanaWeb also understands that a fourth suspect linked to the scheme remains at large.
The extradition request, which originated from the US Department of State and was relayed through the US Embassy in Accra, follows a May 2023 indictment by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The court has charged the accused with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, stemming from a large-scale criminal enterprise reportedly operating out of Ghana.
On Monday, June 16, 2025, a magistrate court in Accra ordered the three suspects to be remanded into police custody pending further legal proceedings.
According to court documents reviewed by GhanaWeb, Kofi Boateng is believed to be the ringleader of the syndicate, which allegedly operated between 2016 and 2023. Prosecutors claim the group orchestrated extensive cyber fraud targeting both individuals and companies across the United States.
Their modus operandi reportedly involved impersonating company officials through spoofed email accounts to trick victims into authorizing fraudulent wire transfers. To lend credibility to their scams, the suspects allegedly attached fake authorization letters bearing forged signatures. A source close to the investigation, speaking anonymously, stated, “The group caused victims to unknowingly transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars into accounts under the syndicate’s control.”
In addition to the BEC scams, investigators revealed that the syndicate also ran romance scams, preying on vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, via email, text messages, and online dating platforms. Victims were manipulated into believing they were in genuine romantic relationships and subsequently persuaded to send money under false pretenses, such as promises of lucrative business opportunities or fictitious emergencies.
The indictment has identified at least one business and eight individuals as confirmed victims of the scheme, which US prosecutors estimate resulted in losses of at least $100 million.
The legal process for their arrest began on June 13, 2024, when the US Embassy delivered a diplomatic note to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting the suspects’ provisional arrest. Ghana’s Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, subsequently signed an arrest warrant on March 18, 2025, authorizing their detention.
The extradition proceedings are anticipated to continue in the coming weeks, with Ghanaian authorities cooperating closely with their US counterparts on this high-profile international fraud case.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
