Kweku Zurek
A Ghanaian national extradited to the United States has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a decade-long romance and inheritance scheme that defrauded elderly victims across the US of approximately $4.4 million.
Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as “Dada Joe Remix,” entered his plea in a federal court in Tucson, Arizona.
He was arrested in Ghana on an extradition warrant on May 27, 2025, and extradited to the US the following month. He has remained in custody since his arrest.
Court documents reveal that Boateng and his co-conspirators operated the scheme from 2013 through March 2023.
They targeted victims—many of whom were elderly—through online dating sites, text messages, and other electronic communications, pretending to be romantically interested in them. The scammers also falsely claimed to have received an “inheritance” of gold and jewels, and told victims that taxes and other fees were required to release these items.
In his plea agreement, Boateng admitted his role in the conspiracy and agreed to pay restitution totaling approximately $4.4 million, representing the direct losses caused by his involvement.
Boateng’s sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2026, before United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Sierra Vista office conducted the investigation, while the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is handling the prosecution.
The extradition was supported by several partners, including the FBI Legal Attaché in Accra, Ghana; the Office of Attorney General and Ministry of Justice of Ghana; the Republic of Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office; Ghana Police Services – INTERPOL; and the US Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
Source: graphic.com.gh