Ghanaian national Isaac Oduro Boateng, popularly known as Kofi Boat, has pleaded guilty in the United States to his role in an international criminal organisation accused of defrauding victims of more than US$100 million through romance scams and business email fraud.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the 37-year-old was one of the chairmen of the organisation, which was primarily based in Ghana and targeted individuals and businesses across the United States.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the 37-year-old was one of the chairmen of the organisation, which was primarily based in Ghana and targeted individuals and businesses across the United States.
Investigators say Boateng played a supervisory role in managing the group’s activities. He has been held responsible for approximately US$12.5 million in losses suffered by victims.
The organisation reportedly targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly older Americans, by creating fake online identities to establish romantic relationships and eventually persuade victims to transfer money. It also used fraudulent business email schemes to obtain funds from companies.
Boateng pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offence carrying a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. He has also agreed to pay US$12.5 million in restitution and forfeiture.
His sentencing will be determined by a federal judge.
