Three Ghanaians have been named among 25 individuals convicted in connection with a sprawling international fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded victims of approximately $215 million across the United States and several other countries.
The convicted Ghanaians are Kingsley Owusu, 37, a naturalised U.S. citizen based in Chicago; Emily Agyemang, 35, of Joliet, Illinois; and Emmanuel Essilfie, 28, a Ghanaian national residing in Naperville, Illinois.
Their convictions form part of a broader crackdown on a sophisticated criminal operation commonly known as a “business email compromise” (BEC) scheme, according to a statement released on April 30, 2026, by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
Authorities disclosed that the scheme targeted more than 1,000 victims across 47 U.S. states and at least 19 countries, making it one of the most extensive fraud operations prosecuted in recent years.
Following a four-day trial in Toledo, a federal jury found three principal defendants—Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, 40; Aruan Drake, 37; and Peter Reed, 35—guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Awoyemi and Drake were additionally convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The case was presided over by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp II.
Court documents revealed that the fraud network operated by gaining unauthorized access to email accounts belonging to individuals, businesses, and organizations, many of which were linked to groups based in Nigeria. Once inside, the perpetrators monitored communications to understand ongoing financial transactions and relationships.
They then deployed carefully crafted fraudulent emails that mimicked legitimate correspondence, tricking victims into transferring funds. After securing the money, the group used an intricate web of fraudulent bank accounts and cash transfer systems to launder and distribute the proceeds.
In total, 25 individuals have now been convicted for their roles in the operation. The list includes a mix of U.S. citizens, naturalized citizens, and foreign nationals residing in various states including Illinois, Georgia, Texas, and Indiana.
The convictions highlight ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to dismantle transnational cybercrime networks and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of their location or nationality.
Investigations into related activities are ongoing, with officials warning businesses and individuals to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated email-based fraud schemes.
