Ghanaian football club owner Kofi Boat and his associates were extradited to the United States for a fraud trialThe suspects were accused of running a scam network and stealing over $100 million in wire fraudAll defendants face multiple charges, with maximum possible sentences of up to 75 yearsThe Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice, has announced the extradition of Ghanaian football club owner, Kofi Boat (real name Isaac Oduro Boateng) and two associates over an alleged $100 million fraud case.
The accused persons were extradited to the United States to stand trial after extensive cooperation between law enforcement agencies in Ghana and the U.S.
Kofi Boats, one of Ghana’s prominent club owners, was extradited to the United States over an alleged fraud case. Photo credit: @edhub
Source: TwitterAccording to the indictment from the Justice Department, Boat, alongside Insuah Ahmed (alias Pascal) and Derrick Van Yeboah (alias Van), was identified as a key member of a criminal network known as “The Enterprise.”
A fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare (alias Borgar), remains at large.
The group is accused of orchestrating elaborate romance scams and business email compromises targeting individuals and companies across the United States.
Between 2016 and 2023. U.S. prosecutors allege that the syndicate laundered the stolen funds through West Africa, directing proceeds to senior members referred to as “chairmen.”
Charges and possible sentencesAccording to Ghanaweb, the indictment filed in the Southern District of New York outlines multiple charges against the defendants, each carrying hefty penalties. These include:
One count of wire fraud conspiracy, which carries up to 20 years in prison.One count of wire fraud (carries 20 years in prison).One count of money laundering conspiracy (up to 20 years in prison).One count of conspiracy to receive stolen money (up to 5 years in prison).One count of receipt of stolen money (up to 10 years in prison).If convicted on all counts and sentenced to the maximum, the suspects could serve up to 75 years in prison.
However, the actual sentence will be determined by the presiding judge, who has discretion within the framework established by U.S. law.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that the charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
How suspects were arrestedThe extradition of the suspects was the result of an extensive cross-border operation.
Kofi Boat, alongside another suspect, has been flown to the US by the FBI to face trial in connection with a $100 million fraud scheme. Photo by Kayla Bartkowski
Source: Getty ImagesIn Ghana, multiple state institutions played vital roles, including the Office of the Attorney-General’s International Cooperation Unit, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service-INTERPOL, Cyber Security Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
On the U.S. side, the FBI and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs spearheaded the extradition, working closely with Ghanaian authorities to ensure compliance with legal and diplomatic processes.
Documents filed in court detail how “The Enterprise” operated for nearly seven years, targeting unsuspecting victims through false promises of love, trust, and business deals.
Correspondence between the accused persons revealed how they divided stolen funds, further strengthening the prosecution’s case.
The high-profile arrests mark a significant win for both U.S. and Ghanaian authorities in their fight against transnational organised crime.
The trial, expected to begin in the Southern District of New York, will determine the fate of the accused men whose alleged schemes defrauded victims of millions of dollars.
Footballer arrested for smuggling drugsIn another development, Legit.ng reported that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested former Nigerian footballer Segun Hunkarin for his alleged role in a drug smuggling operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Hunkarin was arrested alongside a businessman, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, who had just arrived from Turkey via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Source: Legit.ng
