TUCSON, AZ – Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, a Ghanaian national known as “Dada Joe Remix,” is now in U.S. custody, facing federal charges for his alleged role in a callous and elaborate fraud scheme that preyed on the elderly. Boateng, 42, was extradited from Ghana on June 26, 2025, after years of evading justice.
A federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Boateng in May 2023 on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. The indictment alleges that from 2013 through March 2023, Boateng and his co-conspirators ran a global romance and inheritance scam, specifically targeting vulnerable seniors, including victims in Arizona and across the United States. He was arrested in Ghana on an extradition warrant May 27, 2025.
The scheme, according to prosecutors, involved building fake romantic relationships with victims online. Once trust was established, the con artists spun a web of lies, claiming to possess vast wealth in gold and jewels. They then demanded “taxes” and “fees” from their victims to supposedly release these nonexistent assets, draining their life savings. The FBI’s Phoenix Division’s Sierra Vista office led the investigation, uncovering a network of deceit stretching across continents.
“These predators exploit the trust and vulnerability of the elderly for their own financial gain,” stated a source close to the investigation. “The extradition of Boateng sends a clear message that we will pursue these criminals, no matter where they hide.” Boateng made his initial appearance in the District Court of Arizona today, where he awaits further proceedings. If convicted on both counts, Boateng faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each charge.
The successful extradition was a complex, multi-agency effort. Key partners included 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 Organized Crime Office, Ghana Police Services – INTERPOL, and the Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs. Their coordinated work was crucial in bringing Boateng to face justice in the United States.
Case Number: CR-23-00695-TUC-AMM-LCK. Release Number: 2025-108_Boateng. An indictment is merely an accusation, and Boateng is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is prosecuting the case. For more information, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ or follow @USAO_AZ on Twitter.
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Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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