Derrick Van Yeboah, a Ghanaian national, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New York to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Arizona and other states. According to prosecutors, the scheme involved posing as romantic partners to gain victims’ trust and resulted in more than $100 million in losses nationwide.
The plea was entered Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in the Southern District of New York. Derrick Van Yeboah admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to court records. Prosecutors described the criminal enterprise as primarily based in Ghana and targeting vulnerable older men and women across the United States.
The group reportedly stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims nationwide.
Authorities said the scheme involved scammers posing as romantic partners using fake online identities to gain victims’ trust over weeks or months before requesting money. Van Yeboah personally admitted to securing over $10 million in illicit funds through his role in the fraud, prosecutors said. The plea agreement includes restitution and forfeiture of $10,149,429.17.
In addition to romance fraud, the criminal network engaged in business email compromise schemes, impersonating company executives or vendors to induce wire transfers from businesses, officials said. The FBI noted that romance scams typically involve quick emotional manipulation, escalating financial requests, and fabricated emergencies such as medical issues or travel problems. Scammers often claim to work in construction or other jobs that explain their unavailability in person, according to FBI guidance.
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI have intensified efforts to combat transnational romance-fraud networks involving Ghanaian nationals. Related indictments have been unsealed in multiple federal districts, including the Northern District of Ohio and the District of Arizona. In Arizona, Ghanaian national Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as “Dada Joe Remix,” was indicted on May 30, 2025, in a romance and inheritance fraud case. Boateng was arrested in Ghana on May 28 following a U.S. extradition request and is awaiting transfer to the United States, authorities said.
In Ohio, prosecutors unsealed indictments on June 4 against five individuals, including Dwayne Asafo Adjei and Nancy Adom, with a separate indictment on May 13 charging six more defendants in related schemes. The Department of Justice has announced additional romance-fraud indictments in other districts involving Ghanaian nationals and U.S.-based co-conspirators, reflecting a coordinated law enforcement response.
Federal officials advise victims to cease contact immediately and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. The DOJ also directs suspected elder financial abuse reports to FBI tips and elder justice resources. The FBI warns that common red flags include requests to move conversations off dating platforms quickly, demands for money for alleged emergencies, and failure to meet in person after several months.
Van Yeboah’s guilty plea adds to a growing number of prosecutions targeting organized, transnational fraud operations linked to Ghana. Prosecutors emphasize the scale of financial harm, with losses exceeding $100 million, and the overlap of romance scams with broader criminal activities such as money laundering and business email compromise. The case underscores ongoing international law enforcement cooperation, including extradition efforts and coordinated investigations, aimed at dismantling these fraud networks.
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