Three Ghanaians convicted in $215m fraud case in US

Three Ghanaians are among 25 individuals convicted over a large-scale international fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded victims of about $215 million across the United States and other countries. The convicted Ghanaians are Kingsley Owusu, 37, based in Chicago; Emily Agyemang, 35, of Joliet, Illinois; and Emmanuel Essilfie, 28, of Naperville, Illinois. According to a statement issued on April 30, 2026, by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the convictions are part of a broader crackdown on a sophisticated fraud network known as a business email compromise scheme. Following a four-day trial in Toledo, a federal jury convicted key defendants, including Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, 40; Aruan Drake, 37; and Peter Reed, 35, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Awoyemi and Drake were also found guilty of money laundering conspiracy. The case was presided over by James R. Knepp II. In total, 25 defendants have now been convicted for their roles in the scheme, which targeted more than 1,000 victims across 47 US states and at least 19 countries. Court documents revealed that the fraud network operated by hacking into email accounts of individuals, businesses, and organisations—many linked to Nigerian-based groups. The perpetrators monitored communications to understand ongoing transactions before sending convincing fraudulent emails requesting payments. Once funds were obtained, they were moved through a network of fraudulent bank accounts and cash transfer systems to conceal and distribute the money.