A Ghanaian national has pleaded guilty in a United States court to his role in an international online fraud scheme that defrauded victims of more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromises.

Derrick Van Yeboah, also known as “Van”, entered a guilty plea before Judge Arun Subramanian at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

The 40-year-old admitted to participating in a large-scale cybercrime operation that targeted individuals and businesses across the United States, using fake online identities to deceive victims into sending money.

Announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the scheme exploited the emotional vulnerability of victims seeking companionship online.

According to prosecutors, the fraud network was largely operated from Ghana and relied on fabricated romantic relationships to lure victims into transferring money. Members of the group allegedly posed as potential romantic partners, gradually building trust with victims before requesting financial assistance under false pretences.

Investigators say many of those targeted were elderly men and women who believed they were communicating with genuine romantic partners online.

Once victims were persuaded to send money, the funds were channelled through a network of accounts before being laundered to West Africa. Authorities say the organisation also carried out business email compromise schemes, tricking companies into wiring funds to accounts controlled by the syndicate.

In total, the criminal enterprise is believed to have stolen and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims across the United States.

Prosecutors say Van Yeboah personally conducted several of the romance scams by communicating directly with victims while posing as fictitious romantic partners. He is being held responsible for stealing more than $10 million through those fraudulent interactions.

Under the plea agreement, Van Yeboah admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison under U.S. law.

He has also agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture amounting to $10,149,429.17, representing the proceeds of the crimes attributed to him.

Judge Subramanian is expected to sentence him on June 3, 2026.

The investigation was carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with support from authorities in Ghana and the United States Department of Justice Office of International Affairs.

Prosecutors from the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office are handling the case.