A Ghanaian national, Derrick Van Yeboah, has pleaded guilty in the United States for his role in a massive international fraud scheme that stole more than $100 million from victims through romance scams and business email compromises.
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that Yeboah, also known as “Van,” entered the guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian on a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Yeboah was part of a criminal network primarily based in Ghana that targeted individuals and businesses across the United States. Many of the victims were elderly men and women who were deceived into believing they were in genuine romantic relationships online.
Members of the syndicate used fake identities on dating platforms and social media to gain the trust of their victims. Once trust was established, victims were persuaded to send money or assist in laundering funds obtained from other victims.
The group also carried out business email compromise schemes, tricking companies into transferring funds to accounts controlled by the criminal enterprise. Authorities say the operation ultimately stole and laundered more than $100 million, with the proceeds moved to West Africa.
Prosecutors said Yeboah personally carried out several romance scams by posing as a romantic partner in online communications with victims. He has been held responsible for more than $10 million in losses.
“Derrick Van Yeboah pled guilty today to a massive criminal scheme targeting elderly men and women in online romance scams,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Many New Yorkers search for companionship online, and no one deserves to have their vulnerability met with fraud and theft.”
Yeboah, 40, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He has also agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture totaling $10,149,429.17.
Sentencing has been scheduled for June 3, 2026.
U.S. authorities commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its role in the investigation and also acknowledged the assistance of Ghana and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
The case is being prosecuted by the Southern District of New York’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner.
