Federal prosecutors in the United States have unsealed three separate indictments involving Ghanaian nationals allegedly behind romance and inheritance scams that defrauded elderly Americans of millions of dollars. The revelations come as part of a broader crackdown on transnational fraud, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The U.S. Department of Justice, highlighting its efforts to combat scams that prey on vulnerable seniors, announced that the schemes span over a decade and involved elaborate deception through romantic manipulation and false claims of inheritance.
Among those charged is Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, known by the alias “Dada Joe Remix.” He was indicted on May 30, 2025, in the District of Arizona for his alleged role in a romance scam that operated between 2013 and 2023. According to court filings, Boateng and his accomplices convinced victims they were due gold and jewels, but would first need to pay bogus taxes and fees to retrieve them.
Boateng was reportedly arrested in Ghana on May 28 following a U.S. extradition request. He awaits transfer to the United States to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The case is being handled by the FBI.
A second indictment, unsealed on June 4 in the Northern District of Ohio, names Dwayne Asafo Adjei, David Onyinye Abuanekwu, Nancy Adom, Eric Aidoo, and Nader Wasif. Prosecutors allege that from December 2017 to March 2024, the defendants carried out romance and business scams specifically targeting elderly U.S. citizens. “The defendants used various wire fraud and romance fraud schemes — often targeting elderly individuals — to obtain funds by means of false pretenses,” read a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Investigators say the accused laundered proceeds and distributed the funds across multiple international locations, including Ghana.
Another related case, unsealed in May, implicates Otuo Amponsah, Anna Amponsah, Hannah Adom, Portia Joe, Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, and again, Dwayne Asafo Adjei. The charges mirror those in the previous indictments — conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering through romantic deception and fraudulent claims of wealth.
“These malicious schemes continue to inflict financial and emotional harm on seniors across the country,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “We are working with domestic law enforcement and foreign counterparts every day to hold criminals accountable and ensure that justice is done for our seniors both here at home and abroad.”
All three cases are part of an expansive effort by the Justice Department to combat elder fraud, especially schemes that originate from abroad and are executed through digital platforms. According to federal officials, romance fraud remains one of the most prevalent scams globally — often beginning on social media or dating sites and developing into complex fraud operations.
While the accused remain innocent until proven guilty, the U.S. government has initiated extradition processes and is emphasizing the importance of international collaboration. Ghana, in particular, has been identified as a major hotspot in the network of transnational fraud rings.
Elder Americans who believe they have been victims of such fraud are encouraged to reach out to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or submit a report via the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
