Derrick Van Yeboah Admits Role in $100m Fraud Scheme

Derrick Van Yeboah, a Ghanaian national also known as “Van,” has pleaded guilty in the United States for his role in a large international fraud scheme that stole more than $100 million from victims through online romance scams and business email compromise attacks.

The guilty plea was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Van Yeboah appeared before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, where he admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the scheme targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly victims searching for companionship online.

“Derrick Van Yeboah pled guilty today to a massive criminal scheme targeting elderly men and women in online romance scams,” Clayton said. “Many people search for companionship online, and no one deserves to have their vulnerability met with fraud and theft.”

According to prosecutors, Van Yeboah was part of a criminal organization primarily operating from Ghana that carried out romance scams and business email compromise schemes against victims across the United States.

Members of the group allegedly created fake online identities and formed romantic relationships with victims through dating platforms and social media. After gaining the victims’ trust, they persuaded them to send money or assist in transferring funds obtained from other victims.

Authorities said the group also conducted business email compromise attacks, in which criminals impersonate company officials or business partners to trick organizations into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts.

Investigators say the conspiracy ultimately stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims. The stolen funds were then transferred to West Africa.

Van Yeboah personally participated in several of the romance scams by posing as a romantic partner in online communications with victims. Prosecutors say he is responsible for more than $10 million in fraudulent proceeds from the scheme.

As part of his plea agreement, the 40-year-old admitted to the charge and agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture totaling $10,149,429.17.

The charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, although the final sentence will be determined by the court.

Van Yeboah is scheduled to be sentenced on June 3, 2026, by Judge Subramanian.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from authorities in Ghana and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.

The case is being prosecuted by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner leading the prosecution.