Ghanaian National Extradited to US to Face Charges for Romance and Inheritance Scheme

Strategic Insights -

A Ghanaian national, Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as "Dada Joe Remix," has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to a romance and inheritance scheme targeting the elderly. The scheme, which allegedly took place from 2013 to March 2023, involved Boateng and his co-conspirators pretending to be romantically involved with the victims and falsely representing that they had gold and jewels. The victims were told that they had to pay taxes and other costs to release these items. Boateng's extradition comes after a federal grand jury in Tucson indicted him in May 2023 with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, both of which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Key Takeaways:

  • The romance and inheritance scheme targeted the elderly around the world, including victims in Arizona and the United States.
  • Boateng and his co-conspirators pretended to be romantically involved with the victims and falsely represented that they had gold and jewels.
  • The victims were told that they had to pay taxes and other costs to release these items.
  • The scheme allegedly took place from 2013 to March 2023.
  • Boateng was arrested in Ghana on an extradition warrant on May 27, 2025.
  • He had his initial appearance in the District Court of Arizona on June 26, 2025.
  • The FBI Phoenix Division's Sierra Vista office conducted the investigation, with the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Tucson handling the prosecution.
  • The following partners provided essential assistance in securing the arrest and extradition: FBI Legal Attaché in Accra, Ghana; the Office of Attorney General and Ministry of Justice; the Republic of Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office, Ghana Police Services -- INTERPOL; and the Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs.

Statistics:

  • The scheme allegedly took place from 2013 to March 2023, a span of approximately 10 years.
  • The scheme targeted the elderly around the world, including victims in Arizona and the United States.
  • Boateng was arrested on May 27, 2025.
  • He had his initial appearance in the District Court of Arizona on June 26, 2025.
  • The maximum penalty for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud is 20 years in prison.
  • The maximum penalty for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering is 20 years in prison.

Sources:

  • US FBI
  • "Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng Arrested and Extradited to the United States for Conspiracies Involving Romance and Inheritance Fraud," US FBI, June 26, 2025
  • "FBI Phoenix Division's Sierra Vista Office Investigates Romance and Inheritance Fraud Scheme," US FBI, June 26, 2025
  • "U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Tucson," US DOJ, n.d.