40-year-old Ghanaian national Derrick Van Yeboah, popularly known as “Van,” has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court for his role in a massive international fraud ring.
Van Yeboah admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after being linked to a criminal organization based right here in Ghana. The group is alleged to have swindled over $100 million from unsuspecting victims across the United States through a combination of business email compromises and heart-wrenching romance scams.
According to court documents, Van Yeboah wasn’t just a bystander; he was a key player. From 2016 through May 2023, the group—often referred to in street parlance as “Game Boys” or “Sakawa Boys”—targeted vulnerable, elderly Americans.
By creating fake online identities on dating sites and social media, the conspirators built “romantic” trust with their victims. Once the emotional hook was set, they manipulated these individuals into sending millions of dollars under various false pretenses. Prosecutors revealed that Van Yeboah personally orchestrated many of these scams, leading to over $10 million in direct losses for which he is now being held responsible.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton didn’t mince words regarding the case:
“Derrick Van Yeboah cruelly exploited vulnerabilities for over $10 million in illicit profit. No one deserves to have their search for companionship met with fraud and theft.”
The scheme was sophisticated, involving the laundering of stolen funds back to West Africa. However, the combined efforts of the FBI and Ghanaian authorities—including the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the Ghana Police Service—ensured that “Van” would eventually have his day in court.
As part of his guilty plea, Van Yeboah has agreed to pay a staggering $10,149,429.17 in restitution and forfeiture. He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian has scheduled the final sentencing for June 3, 2026.
This case serves as a stern warning to the youth and digital entrepreneurs about the global reach of the law when it comes to cybercrime. As the saying goes, “The hands of the law are long,” and this time, they reached all the way from New York to Accra.
