Ghanaian Pleads Guilty in $100m Romance Fraud and BEC Scheme

A Ghanaian national pleaded guilty to a role in a global romance fraud and business email compromise scheme, Derrick Van Yeboah, 40, according to Infosecurity Magazine. The Justice Department announced the guilty plea for Van Yeboah, whose operation was primarily based in Ghana and is said to have caused over $100m in losses, with 10% pinned on him.

He impersonated romantic partners to gain victims’ trust and trick them into sending money to the gang, and he also admitted helping his co-conspirators launder funds from other victims. Van Yeboah pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and he agreed to make restitution and pay forfeiture to the tune of a little over $10.1m.

The plea follows the extradition and indictment of Van Yeboah and two other Ghanaians in August last year, and US attorney Jay Clayton described the case as a reminder to be vigilant online, especially on dating websites.