Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, known popularly in Ghana’s entertainment and business circles as Dada Joe Remix, has been extradited from Ghana to the United States to face federal fraud charges. The arrest and extradition were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana Police Service (INTERPOL Unit), and the Ghanaian government.
Boateng was arrested on May 28, 2025, in Accra, and extradited to the United States on June 26. He arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 1, 2025, and made his initial court appearance later that day in the District of Arizona.
Allegations of a Decade-Long Romance and Inheritance Scam
Boateng is charged in a federal indictment filed in May 2023 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, he allegedly participated in a sophisticated romance and inheritance fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims in the United States from 2013 to 2023.
The indictment alleges that Boateng and his co-conspirators posed online as romantic partners or distant heirs to convince victims they were due to receive inheritances or valuable property such as gold or jewels. Victims were then told they needed to pay taxes or legal fees to release the assets. The payments were funneled into accounts controlled by the scheme's perpetrators.
The fraud ring, according to U.S. prosecutors, exploited vulnerable individuals over many years, defrauding victims of large sums of money under false pretenses. If convicted, Boateng faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each charge.
Ghana–U.S. Law Enforcement Collaboration
This extradition marks another significant milestone in growing cooperation between the United States and Ghana on matters of transnational crime. The FBI Phoenix Field Office, DSS personnel in Accra, and Ghanaian authorities—including the Ministry of Justice and Ghana Police INTERPOL—collaborated closely to execute the extradition request.
The legal process was carried out under Ghana’s Extradition Act of 1960 and in accordance with bilateral agreements between the two countries.
According to a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, “This case is a powerful example of international cooperation to protect American citizens from overseas fraud and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable in the appropriate jurisdiction.”
What Happens Next
Boateng is now in U.S. federal custody, awaiting trial. The proceedings will involve the presentation of evidence such as electronic communications, bank records, and testimonies from affected victims. Under U.S. law, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Significance of the Case
This case is part of a broader crackdown on romance and inheritance scams, which have increased in scale and sophistication with the rise of social media and online dating platforms. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission reports that Americans lost over $1.3 billion to romance scams in 2023 alone, making it one of the most financially damaging forms of fraud.
Ghana has long faced scrutiny as a hub for online fraud targeting victims abroad. However, this extradition signals a growing willingness by Ghanaian authorities to crack down on cyber-enabled crime and cooperate with international partners.
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