A Ghanaian man accused of orchestrating a long-running international romance scam has pleaded guilty in federal court in Arizona after prosecutors said he helped steal more than $4 million from elderly Americans through fraudulent online relationships.
Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as “Dada Joe Remix,” pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Tucson to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to federal prosecutors, the scheme operated from 2013 through March 2023 and relied on fake identities created through online dating platforms, social media, and text messaging to gain the trust of older victims.
Prosecutors said victims were falsely told they had inherited valuable assets, including gold and jewelry, but first needed to pay taxes, shipping costs, or other fees before the supposed inheritance could be released. Court records identify at least 18 victims whose financial losses ranged from $12,000 to $1.5 million, with total losses estimated at approximately $4.4 million.
Boateng was arrested in Ghana and extradited to the United States in June 2025 to face federal charges in Arizona. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he faces a maximum prison sentence of nine years when he is sentenced in Tucson on Sept. 8.
The case highlights the continued threat of romance scams, which remain among the most financially damaging fraud schemes targeting older adults. Federal investigators routinely advise consumers to be cautious of online relationships that quickly involve requests for money, gifts, or assistance with unexpected financial emergencies.
