A United States federal grand jury has returned a two-count indictment against a Ghanaian national accused of orchestrating a sweeping romance-fraud operation that defrauded elderly victims of more than $8 million.
The indictment, recently unsealed, reveals that Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica, allegedly played an active role in a criminal network that targeted vulnerable seniors across the United States between 2023 and 2025. Kumi, 31, was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, following coordinated efforts between U.S. federal authorities and Ghanaian law enforcement.
According to prosecutors, Kumi and his associates operated an elaborate romance-scam syndicate that preyed upon elderly victims through online dating platforms and social media. The indictment states that conspirators created fake identities and cultivated emotional relationships with their victims before manipulating them into sending large sums of money under false pretenses.
Victims were persuaded to transfer funds for fabricated emergencies, medical bills, travel arrangements, and business investments. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says the group used sophisticated tactics to conceal their activities, including the use of fraudulent bank accounts, money mules, and international digital communication channels.
Investigators allege that Kumi served as one of the primary actors within the scheme, receiving and coordinating the movement of illicit funds through both U.S. and foreign financial institutions. Many of the victims, most of whom were elderly and living alone, suffered significant financial loss and emotional trauma as a result of the deception.
The indictment includes charges related to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, both of which carry severe penalties under U.S. federal law. If convicted, Kumi could face decades in prison, substantial fines, restitution orders, and asset forfeiture.
U.S. officials describe the case as part of an escalating effort to dismantle transnational fraud operations that disproportionately target senior citizens. According to the DOJ, romance scams represent one of the fastest-growing categories of cyber-enabled crime, costing Americans more than a billion dollars annually.
Kumi’s arrest in Ghana marks a significant breakthrough in the cross-border investigation. Authorities credit enhanced cooperation between Ghana’s security agencies and U.S. counterparts for making progress in disrupting internet fraud syndicates operating from West Africa.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that the indictment is only an allegation, and Kumi is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
However, prosecutors maintain that the evidence gathered—including financial records, digital communications, and testimony from victims—points to a wide-ranging criminal operation motivated by greed and deception.
Extradition proceedings are expected to follow, pending legal processes in Ghana. Meanwhile, U.S. federal agencies continue to investigate other individuals connected to the network, signaling that more arrests could be forthcoming.
If confirmed through trial, the case would represent one of the largest romance-fraud schemes involving a Ghanaian national uncovered in recent years.
