United States authorities have released new details regarding the arrest and extradition of Ghanaian national Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, accusing him of leading an international romance fraud syndicate that allegedly defrauded more than 80 elderly Americans of over US$8 million.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 14, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio confirmed that the 31-year-old was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, before being extradited to the United States on July 9, 2026, to face federal criminal charges.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Kumi, who is also identified as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, allegedly worked alongside co-defendant Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni or Slab, to orchestrate a sophisticated romance fraud operation between April 2023 and November 2025.
Court documents allege that the suspects targeted elderly victims, particularly widows and divorced individuals, by creating fake profiles on online dating websites and social media platforms. Prosecutors claim the group spent months building trust with victims before convincing them to send large sums of money under false pretences.
Authorities further alleged that Kumi employed advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video platforms, to impersonate fictitious female characters and strengthen the deception.
According to investigators, members of the alleged criminal network operating from Ghana also communicated directly with victims through encrypted messaging applications and telephone calls to maintain the fake identities and persuade victims to continue sending money.
The victims were allegedly told fabricated stories involving valuable gold and diamond inheritances that required taxes, shipping fees or legal costs before they could be released. Prosecutors say the victims transferred money into bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy, after which the funds were allegedly laundered through money mules, shell companies and financial institutions in both Ghana and the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also alleged that proceeds from the suspected fraud were used to purchase luxury assets in Ghana. These reportedly include a mansion, a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW. Authorities say the assets have since been seized through international cooperation involving law enforcement agencies.
Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, while prosecutors are also seeking the forfeiture of assets allegedly linked to the crimes.
Despite the allegations, U.S. authorities emphasised that the indictment does not constitute proof of guilt.
“An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” the statement noted.
The investigation is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cleveland Division with support from several Ghanaian institutions, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the Office of the Attorney General.
The prosecution forms part of the United States Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, a programme designed to combat financial exploitation, fraud and abuse targeting older adults.
The case continues to attract international attention as Ghana and the United States deepen collaboration in the fight against transnational cybercrime and financial fraud. Kumi is expected to appear before a U.S. federal court, where prosecutors will seek to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
