A Ghanaian national named in the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) statement on the seizure of a Lamborghini sports car linked to musician Shatta Wale is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in the United States for his role in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme.
The 2019 Lamborghini Urus was seized in connection with financial crimes committed by Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian currently serving an 86-month prison sentence in the United States. The FBI and US Department of Justice requested Ghanaian authorities to locate assets connected to the case.
Nana Kwabena Amuah described by US prosecutors as the “leader” of a criminal conspiracy, was sentenced in October 2023 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. The conspiracy resulted in the attempted theft of nearly $4 million from the city of Lexington, Kentucky, among other victims.
Amuah was named by EOCO in its August 6, 2025 statement as one of the individuals being investigated in connection with a joint probe by EOCO and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The investigation centres on the suspected laundering of proceeds from a business email compromise scheme.
According to US court records, Amuah and his co-conspirators impersonated vendors to defraud nearly 70 public and private organisations across the United States. The fraud involved tricking entities into wiring money into bank accounts controlled by the group, notably through a shell company named Gretson Company LLC.
One major incident occurred in August 2022, when the conspirators convinced officials from the city of Lexington to wire housing assistance funds meant for a local non-profit, the Community Action Council, into a fraudulent bank account. Although Lexington recovered the funds before they were withdrawn, other victims were not as fortunate.
In her sentencing memo, prosecutor Kathryn Dieruf noted the far-reaching impact of the fraud. “This crime deprived businesses of their operating funds and caused significant harm to the well-being of the people who own and run those companies,” she stated. One business was forced to shut down entirely as a result of the losses incurred.
Amuah expressed remorse in court, acknowledging that his actions were “selfish” and “thoughtless,” and told the judge, “I ask for a second chance and I promise you will never see me in this courtroom again.”
Despite Amuah’s relatively clean criminal record, Judge Karen Caldwell underscored the gravity of the offence. “The crimes he helped commit were incredibly serious,” she said, highlighting the way internet fraud disconnects perpetrators from the real-life suffering of victims.
The case involved several other co-conspirators. One of them, Shimea Maret McDonald, 24, of Texas, also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors said McDonald, who had over 40 fake identity cards in her possession, helped Amuah move the stolen money and launder it through shell companies.
In EOCO’s August 2025 statement, the agency confirmed that the Lamborghini seized from Shatta Wale’s residence on August 5 was tied to the proceeds of the criminal enterprise of Amuah. The seizure is part of wider efforts between Ghanaian and US authorities to trace assets linked to cross-border financial crimes.
As investigations continue, EOCO said the vehicle will remain in its custody while further legal processes unfold. Shatta Wale, for his part, has criticised EOCO’s operation, calling it an act of intimidation.
Amuah, meanwhile, remains behind bars in the United States, ordered to pay over $4.7 million in restitution to victims of the fraud.
source: Graphic Online
