Defendants in from Ghana for Romance Scams Have Montrage Lawyers Now Mull Plea

Defendants in from Ghana for Romance Scams Have Montrage Lawyers Now Mull Plea by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 6 – The US Attorney's Office announced defendants extradited from Ghana "for their roles in an international criminal organization that stole more than $100 million from victims via romance scams and business email compromises."   Inner City Press went to presentments in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court, and as the only media there live tweeted: OK - now at presentment of INUSAH AHMED, a/k/a “Pascal,” DERRICK VAN YEBOAH charged in an international criminal organization that stole more than $100 million from victims via romance scams and business email compromises, after Ghana’s extradition to SDNY.    One was already in an orange jumpsuit. Both had retained - paid - lawyers. Both were detained on consent.  But both sought release on bond in August 13 filings; on August 15 the US Attorney's Office in a partial redacted filing opposed. The US filing has a photo of a gun, speaks of ICE detainers and that "communications between Asante and the unapprehended fourth defendant in the case confirm Van Yeboah's involvement in scamming Victim-3." On August 19 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that two of these defendants have lawyers that previously represented Mona Montrage, whose case and sentencing Inner City Press also covered. The US Attorney's Office said it is "unaware of any potential conflict of interest," but asked the Court to inquire. On August 20 Judge Subramanian ordered defense counsel to discuss the issue with their clients, in the run-up to a hearing he intends to hold on August 28 at 10 am. On August 21 Boateng's lawyer, with offices in San Antonio, Texas and at 305 Broadway in Manhattan wrote in saying he can't make August 28 and proposing early September. On August 22 it was set for September 4: "Application GRANTED. The hearing will now take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM." Inner City Press went. There, both lawyers - one still representing Montrage's family in trying to get her bond back - said they saw no conflict. Neither did their clients, though one of the two was slower in answering. The case proceeds. Or not - on May 6, 2026 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking to postpone a May 13 conference for 30 days "since the parties are currently engaged in discussions of potential pretrial dispositions in this matter."  The case is USA v. Boateng, et al., 1:23-cr-263 (Subramanian) *** Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron. Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com Mail: Box 130222, Chinatown Station, NY NY 10013 Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.  Copyright 2006-2026 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com