Shatta Wale’s Alleged Financier Kofi Boat Faces U.S. Extradition

Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, popularly known as Kofi Boat, was arrested on June 13, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, for his alleged involvement in a $100 million international fraud scheme.

The operation, coordinated by Interpol and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), led to the arrest of Kofi Boat and two other suspects connected to a cybercrime ring accused of orchestrating Business Email Compromise (BEC) and romance scams. A fourth suspect remains at large, and the investigation is ongoing.

Kofi Boat is a well-known Ghanaian businessman and socialite with deep ties to the entertainment industry, particularly as a close associate and longtime supporter of dancehall musician Shatta Wale. Widely referred to as Shatta Wale’s “godfather,” Kofi Boat has been linked to funding the artist’s lavish lifestyle.

A 2018 post by Shatta Wale praising him for “turning him into a real man” highlighted the depth of their relationship. Boat’s influence in Accra’s elite circles has made him a prominent figure, but his arrest has cast a significant shadow over his public image.

Investigations leading up to the arrest were initiated by Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), which began examining financial activities tied to a company inherited by Boat from his father. This local probe reportedly triggered international interest, culminating in the FBI and Interpol operation. The arrest followed a March 18 warrant issued by Ghana’s Ministry of the Interior after a formal request from the U.S. Embassy, leading to the suspects’ appearance in court on June 16, where they were remanded into custody.

The U.S. indictment, issued in 2023, accuses Kofi Boat of leading a criminal enterprise known as “The Enterprise,” which allegedly operated from Ghana between 2016 and 2023. Using spoofed emails, forged documents, and fake identities, the group is accused of defrauding a U.S. business and several individuals out of more than $100 million through business email compromise (BEC) schemes and romance scams that preyed on personal relationships and fabricated business deals.

Following the arrest, a photo of Kofi Boat surfaced online, showing him appearing unwell and receiving medical attention at the Police Hospital in Accra, surrounded by lawyers. The image has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with some expressing disbelief and others reflecting on the illusion of wealth. One user remarked, “Eeeii! Don’t envy anyone. The way this Kofi Boat lives large, errr. Hmmmmm.”

Alongside Kofi Boat, the arrested suspects include Inusah Ahmed and Derrick Van Yeboah, with another individual known as “Agony” also in custody. The group faces extradition to the United States to answer charges of wire fraud and money laundering. A fourth suspect, identified as Patrick Kwame Asare in court documents, remains at large, prompting an ongoing manhunt by international authorities.

The arrest has sparked speculation about Shatta Wale’s finances, particularly his recent acquisitions of luxury property and vehicles. While some question whether his assets are linked to Kofi Boat’s alleged crimes, Shatta Wale has denied any wrongdoing, stating publicly, “My money is clean,” and distancing himself from the unfolding scandal.

This case follows the recent arrest of another Ghanaian businessman, Dada Joe Remix, also linked to fraud, fueling speculation of a wider crackdown on Accra’s wealthy elite. Additionally, socialite Hajia4Reall, who was recently released from U.S. custody in connection with her own fraud case, has faced online rumours linking her to Kofi Boat’s arrest. She has denied any involvement, responding on social media with, “We move!”

Musician Showboy, deported from the U.S. in 2024, also commented on the matter in a viral video. He criticized Accra’s “big men” for failing to support him and hinted that more arrests could be on the way, saying, “If you gave me something small, I would shut up.”

Kofi Boat and his co-accused are expected to face extradition proceedings in the coming weeks as Ghana cooperates with U.S. authorities.