In a dramatic turn of events that underscores the growing global crackdown on cybercrime, three Ghanaian nationals have been arrested and are now facing extradition to the United States for their alleged roles in a sprawling internet fraud scheme estimated to have defrauded victims of over $100 million.
The suspects —Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, widely known in cybercriminal circles as Kofi Boat, a second individual known only by the alias Agony, and an unnamed third accomplice were captured in a joint operation between Interpol Ghana and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, June 13.
According to preliminary findings from U.S. authorities, the alleged fraud network was involved in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks and romance scams, two of the most lucrative and widespread forms of cyber fraud globally.
BEC scams typically involve hackers gaining access to business email accounts and tricking employees into transferring large sums of money to fraudulent accounts. In parallel, romance scams prey on vulnerable individuals on dating platforms, manipulating them emotionally to extract money under false pretenses.
Officials say the group’s reach was extensive, with targets ranging from small businesses and corporate entities to unsuspecting individuals across various U.S. states.
Law enforcement officials have revealed that the arrests followed months of surveillance and digital tracking, with key data reportedly supplied by U.S. cyber intelligence units. The suspects were believed to be operating from upscale neighborhoods in Accra, using high-level encryption tools to mask their activities.
While three men are now in custody, a fourth suspect remains at large and is believed to be still operating within Ghana or possibly outside the country using false identification.
“This was not just a local scam. It was an international operation run with alarming precision,” a senior Interpol official involved in the operation told reporters under anonymity
The suspects are currently being held under tight security as Ghanaian courts begin the legal process required for extradition to the United States, where they will likely face charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Under Ghana’s extradition treaty with the U.S., legal experts say the process could take weeks or even months, depending on whether the suspects contest the extradition.
While the international spotlight focuses on this case, it has also reignited conversations in Ghana around the need for cybersecurity education, stricter enforcement, and a cultural shift away from glamorizing online fraud.
With one suspect still at large and more details expected to emerge during court proceedings, this case is far from over — but it marks a significant step in dismantling one of the most financially damaging cybercrime rings linked to Ghana in recent years.
