Suspected Ghanaian Cybercrime Leader and Associates Confront U.S. Extradition for $100M Fraud Scheme
Three Ghanaian nationals are facing extradition to the United States for their alleged involvement in a massive $100 million fraud scheme tied to Business Email Compromise (BEC) and romance scams.
The suspects — Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, also known as Kofi Boat, a man identified as Agony, and a third unnamed accomplice — were arrested on Friday, June 13, 2025, in a joint operation between Interpol and the FBI. A fourth suspect remains at large.
The extradition follows a 2023 indictment by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, which charged the individuals with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. According to court documents, Kofi Boateng is believed to be the mastermind behind the cybercrime syndicate, which is said to have operated from Ghana between 2016 and 2023. The accused reportedly impersonated company executives using spoofed emails and forged authorization letters to trick victims into transferring large sums of money into their accounts.
Authorities also allege that the group was behind a network of romance scams, targeting mostly elderly individuals through email and online platforms. Victims were manipulated into believing they were in genuine relationships and were coaxed into sending money under false pretenses, such as fake emergencies or investment opportunities. So far, one business and eight individuals have been confirmed as victims, with total losses estimated at over \$100 million.
Following a diplomatic request from the US Embassy in Accra, Ghana’s Minister of the Interior signed arrest warrants in March 2025 to facilitate the suspects’ detention.
The three arrested individuals were remanded into custody by an Accra magistrate court on June 16, 2025, pending further proceedings. Extradition processes are now underway as local authorities collaborate with the United States.
