A US court will sentence a participant in a massive romantic deception scheme.
A Ghanaian man has pleaded guilty to a massive online fraud scheme that defrauded lonely individuals and businesses for years. The scheme's participants established romantic relationships online, gained their trust, and then convinced victims to transfer funds. The total damage exceeded $100 million.
Prosecutors announced that 40-year-old Derrick Van Yeboah, known by his stage name "Van," pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The case was heard by Federal Judge Arun Subramanian.
According to court documents, Wan Yeboah was part of a criminal group operating primarily out of Ghana. The group's members carried out romance scams and business email compromise attacks, targeting individuals and businesses throughout the United States.
Fraudsters created fake online profiles and met people, typically older men and women. After lengthy conversations, the criminals convinced their interlocutors they were in a romantic relationship. Once trust was established, the victims were asked to transfer money or help "transfer funds," supposedly to resolve urgent problems. Sometimes, victims were recruited to launder money obtained from other defrauded individuals.
The group also targeted companies, spoofing business correspondence and forcing employees to transfer funds to the criminals' accounts. In total, the scheme's participants stole and laundered over $100 million from dozens of victims. Once received, the money was transferred to West African countries.
Investigators believe Wang Yeboah personally participated in numerous romance scams and corresponded with victims under the guise of fictitious partners. Through these schemes, he obtained over $10 million.
Derrick Wan Yeboah pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He also agreed to pay $10,149,429.17 in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for June 3, 2026.
A Ghanaian man has pleaded guilty to a massive online fraud scheme that defrauded lonely individuals and businesses for years. The scheme's participants established romantic relationships online, gained their trust, and then convinced victims to transfer funds. The total damage exceeded $100 million.
Prosecutors announced that 40-year-old Derrick Van Yeboah, known by his stage name "Van," pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The case was heard by Federal Judge Arun Subramanian.
According to court documents, Wan Yeboah was part of a criminal group operating primarily out of Ghana. The group's members carried out romance scams and business email compromise attacks, targeting individuals and businesses throughout the United States.
Fraudsters created fake online profiles and met people, typically older men and women. After lengthy conversations, the criminals convinced their interlocutors they were in a romantic relationship. Once trust was established, the victims were asked to transfer money or help "transfer funds," supposedly to resolve urgent problems. Sometimes, victims were recruited to launder money obtained from other defrauded individuals.
The group also targeted companies, spoofing business correspondence and forcing employees to transfer funds to the criminals' accounts. In total, the scheme's participants stole and laundered over $100 million from dozens of victims. Once received, the money was transferred to West African countries.
Investigators believe Wang Yeboah personally participated in numerous romance scams and corresponded with victims under the guise of fictitious partners. Through these schemes, he obtained over $10 million.
Derrick Wan Yeboah pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He also agreed to pay $10,149,429.17 in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for June 3, 2026.
