Derrick ‘Van’ Yeboah
The United States Embassy in Ghana has released an official public photo of Derrick ‘Van’ Yeboah, a Ghanaian national who has pleaded guilty to stealing over $10 million dollars from American citizens through romance scam.
Van Yeboah was extradited to the United States in August last year following allegation he was part of a Ghana-based criminal organisation that collectively defrauded victims of more than $100 million.
The embattled Ghanaian, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, faces up to 20 years in prison.
In his first public photo since pleading guilty to fraud, Van Yeboah is seen wearing an orange-coloured T-shirt over a blue-black jeans trouser, and a black sneaker while being restrained in a waist chain and handcuffs.
On each side of him is an official wearing an FBI uniform, both of whom are holding him by the arm as they pose in front of a glass building.
The US Embassy in Ghana says the United States is working closely with the Government of Ghana and other international partners to investigate and prosecute cyber and transnational criminals perpetrating crimes against Americans.
Criminal Organisation
Court filings made public said Van was a member of a criminal organisation primarily based in Ghana that committed romance scams and business email compromises against individuals and businesses located across the United States.
Many of the conspiracy’s victims were vulnerable older men and women who were tricked into believing that they were in online romantic relationships with persons who were, in fact, fake identities assumed by members of the conspiracy.
Once members of the conspiracy had gained the trust of their victims, they deceived those victims into sending their money to the enterprise or into helping them launder funds from other victims.
The conspirators also committed business email compromises to trick and deceive businesses into wiring funds to the enterprise, the charges said.
According to court filings, the group stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims, and the fraud proceeds were laundered to West Africa.
The documents said Van Yeboah personally perpetrated many of the romance scams by impersonating fake romantic partners in communications with victims.
He is being held responsible for more than $10 million he stole from victims via his romance scams. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Meanwhile, Van Yeboah has agreed to make restitution and pay forfeiture, both in the amount of $10,149,429.17.
He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Subramanian on June 3, 2026.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak