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Three separate indictments involving Ghanaian nationals have been unsealed in the United States, as part of a sweeping federal crackdown on transnational romance fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the developments in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting the efforts of law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal networks that prey on vulnerable seniors.
Among those charged is Ghanaian citizen Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as “Dada Joe Remix”, who was indicted in the District of Arizona on May 30, 2025. According to U.S. court documents, Boateng and his co-conspirators ran a romance and inheritance scam from 2013 to 2023. The scheme involved tricking elderly victims into believing that gold and jewels were being held for them, but could only be released after the payment of fictitious taxes and fees.
Boateng was arrested in Ghana on May 28 pursuant to a U.S. extradition request and is awaiting transfer to the United States to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The case is being investigated by the FBI.
In a related case, Dwayne Asafo Adjei, David Onyinye Abuanekwu, Nancy Adom, Eric Aidoo, and Nader Wasif have been charged in the Northern District of Ohio with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Unsealed on June 4, the superseding indictment alleges that from December 2017 through March 2024, the defendants participated in fraudulent schemes targeting elderly U.S. citizens through romantic deception and false business claims.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the accused laundered proceeds and shared funds with co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations. “The defendants used various wire fraud and romance fraud schemes — often targeting elderly individuals — to obtain funds by means of false pretenses,” the statement said.
Another case, unsealed on May 13 in the same district, involves Otuo Amponsah, Anna Amponsah, Hannah Adom, Portia Joe, Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, and again, Dwayne Asafo Adjei. The group faces similar charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies. Authorities allege that these individuals, too, preyed on elderly Americans through fake romantic engagements and promises of wealth, extracting large sums of money under fraudulent circumstances.
All three cases were investigated by the FBI and form part of a broader Justice Department initiative to combat transnational fraud targeting older Americans. “Prosecutors across the country are stepping up the fight against malicious schemes that target older Americans,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “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.”
The Department emphasised that romance fraud remains one of the most common schemes used by fraudsters globally, especially in targeting older, isolated individuals. These scams often begin on social media or dating platforms and evolve into sophisticated ploys to defraud victims of their life savings.
The accused individuals remain innocent until proven guilty in court. However, U.S. authorities are pursuing extraditions and pledging continued international cooperation, especially with countries like Ghana, which have been identified as major nodes in these fraudulent networks.
Victims of elder fraud in the U.S. are encouraged to report their cases to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
source: graphic.com.gh
