A Ghanaian businessman extradited to the United States has admitted his role in a decade-long romance and inheritance fraud scheme, agreeing to pay $4.4 million in restitution as part of a plea deal that will see him sentenced in September.
Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as "Dada Joe Remix," pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud 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.
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What plea deal means
A plea agreement—sometimes called a plea bargain—is a negotiated contract between a prosecutor and a criminal defendant. The defendant agrees to plead guilty to specific charges, and in exchange, the prosecution offers concessions, such as reduced charges, dismissal of other counts, or a lighter sentence recommendation.
In federal cases like Boateng's, these agreements are detailed written documents that spell out the factual admissions the defendant is making and the rights being waived. Importantly, the judge ultimately decides the final sentence—the plea agreement is a recommendation, not a guarantee.
Plea deals serve both parties: prosecutors secure a guaranteed conviction without the time and expense of a trial, while defendants typically receive a lighter sentence than they would face if convicted at trial. Defendants who plead guilty also receive credit for "acceptance of responsibility" under federal sentencing guidelines.
The scheme
According to his plea agreement, Boateng admitted that he and his co-conspirators ran the fraud scheme from 2013 through March 2023, targeting elderly victims in Arizona and across the United States.
The co-conspirators pretended to be romantically involved with victims through online dating sites, text messages, and other electronic communications. They also falsely claimed to have received an "inheritance" of gold and jewels, telling victims that taxes and other fees were required to release these items.
The scheme defrauded at least 18 victims, with individual losses ranging from $12,000 to $1.5 million. Total losses are estimated at approximately $4.4 million.
Role of Ghanaian authorities
Boateng's extradition involved cooperation between American and Ghanaian authorities. The FBI Legal Attaché in Accra, Ghana's Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Ghana Police Service's INTERPOL unit all provided essential support. 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.
Boateng's sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2026, before United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez.
