A Ghanaian national has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court for his pivotal role in a sprawling international fraud syndicate that swindled millions of dollars from vulnerable individuals and businesses across the United States through elaborate online romance scams and corporate email hacks.
Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as “Van,” entered his plea before a United States District Court judge, admitting to his participation in a scheme that preyed on the emotional vulnerabilities of victims, many of whom were elderly and seeking companionship online.
The guilty plea was announced on Thursday, March 5, 2026, by Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
“Derrick Van Yeboah pled guilty today to orchestrating a massive criminal scheme that targeted elderly men and women through heartless online romance scams,” stated Mr. Clayton.
“Many New Yorkers turn to the internet searching for companionship, and no one deserves to have their search for connection met with fraud and theft. Van Yeboah cruelly exploited those deeply personal vulnerabilities, generating over $10 million in illicit profit for himself and his co-conspirators.”
Court documents and statements from prosecutors reveal that Van Yeboah was a key member of a sophisticated criminal organization, primarily based in Ghana.
The group’s operations were twofold: they executed romance scams targeting individuals and conducted business email compromise (BEC) schemes against corporations.
In the romance scam component, investigators stated that members of the group crafted intricate fake online personas. They used these identities to cultivate trusting, romantic relationships with their targets.
Once a strong emotional bond was established, the fraudsters would fabricate emergencies or investment opportunities to persuade the victims to send money.
In some instances, victims were also manipulated into acting as unwitting “money mules,” helping to launder funds stolen from other victims.
The conspiracy’s reach extended beyond individuals to the corporate sector.
Through BEC attacks, the group would compromise legitimate business email accounts and trick employees into wiring substantial sums to bank accounts controlled by the criminal network.
Prosecutors allege the overarching conspiracy was responsible for stealing and laundering over $100 million from dozens of victims, with the illicit proceeds ultimately funnelled back to West Africa.
Van Yeboah was not merely a peripheral figure; he was held directly responsible for over $10 million of those losses, having personally posed as fictitious romantic partners to deceive victims.
The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. This charge carries a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison.
As part of his plea agreement, he has also consented to pay restitution and forfeiture totaling $10,149,429.17.
The U.S. Attorney’s office emphasized that the maximum sentence is a guideline set by law, and the presiding judge will deliver the final judgment.
Van Yeboah’s sentencing is scheduled for June 3, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also acknowledged the critical assistance provided by authorities in Ghana and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, highlighting the cross-border cooperation essential to the case.
The prosecution is being handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner leading the efforts.
