A Ghanaian man extradited to the United States has pleaded guilty to participating in a romance and inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded victims of approximately US$4.4 million.
The suspect, Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, popularly known as “Dada Joe Remix,” admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of a plea agreement filed in a U.S. federal court. Under the agreement, he has also agreed to pay about US$4.4 million in restitution to compensate victims for their financial losses.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Boateng and his associates operated the fraudulent scheme between 2013 and March 2023, targeting elderly people in Arizona and other parts of the United States.
Prosecutors said the group created fake identities on online dating platforms and other digital communication channels, posing as romantic partners to gain the trust of victims. They also convinced victims they had inherited valuable gold and jewellery but needed money to pay taxes, shipping costs and other fees before the supposed inheritance could be released. Many victims transferred substantial sums of money based on these false claims.
Boateng was arrested in Ghana on May 27, 2025, following an extradition request from U.S. authorities. He was extradited to the United States the following month and has remained in custody since his arrest.
His sentencing has been scheduled for September 8, 2026, before Angela M. Martinez, where the court will determine his final punishment.
The successful extradition was made possible through collaboration between U.S. and Ghanaian authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service through its INTERPOL Unit, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
Authorities say the case underscores growing international cooperation to combat cross-border cybercrime and online financial fraud targeting vulnerable individuals.
