Abu Trica faces accusations of using romance fraud schemes to take over $8m from elderly victims - US Attorney's Office

A 31-year-old Ghanaian national has been extradited to the United States to face multiple fraud and money laundering charges over his alleged role in a sophisticated romance scam that U.S. authorities say defrauded more than 80 elderly Americans of over $8 million.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio, Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica, was extradited from Ghana to the United States on July 9, 2026, after being arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025.

Kumi, who is from Swedru in Ghana's Central Region, is accused of leading a transnational criminal network that orchestrated romance fraud schemes targeting vulnerable elderly victims across the United States.

Court documents allege that between April 2023 and November 2025, Kumi and his alleged co-conspirators operated an elaborate online fraud network that used dating websites and social media platforms to identify and exploit elderly victims, many of whom were widows or divorcees.

U.S. prosecutors allege that Kumi worked alongside Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni and Slab, a 31-year-old resident of Accra, who has also been charged in connection with the case.

Investigators claim the pair led a criminal organisation that developed sophisticated deception techniques to gain the trust of victims before persuading them to transfer large sums of money.

Authorities further allege that Kumi employed artificial intelligence-powered video technology to impersonate fictitious female identities, making the fraudulent online relationships appear more convincing.

Other members of the network allegedly communicated directly with victims through encrypted messaging applications and telephone calls while maintaining the fabricated identities.

According to prosecutors, victims were persuaded to send money after being told fabricated stories involving gold or diamond inheritances, emergency financial situations and other fraudulent investment opportunities.

The funds were allegedly wired into bank accounts controlled by members of the criminal organisation before being transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other countries.

Investigators say the group relied on money mules operating in Ghana and members of the Ghanaian immigrant community in the United States to launder millions of dollars through shell companies and fraudulent bank accounts.

U.S. authorities allege that Kumi used proceeds from the alleged fraud to acquire significant assets in Ghana.

Items reportedly seized by international law enforcement agencies include:

• A luxury mansion in Ghana
• A Lamborghini
• A Tesla Cybertruck
• A Mercedes-Benz
• A BMW

Authorities say these assets form part of property subject to forfeiture proceedings if the allegations are proven in court.

Charges carry lengthy prison sentence

Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment.

However, U.S. prosecutors emphasised that the charges remain allegations and that Kumi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

His sentence, if convicted, would ultimately be determined by the trial court after considering factors such as his criminal history, role in the alleged offences and applicable sentencing guidelines.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cleveland Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison for the Northern District of Ohio.

The U.S. Attorney's Office acknowledged the extensive support provided by several Ghanaian security and law enforcement agencies in securing Kumi's arrest and extradition.

The agencies include:

• Ghana Attorney-General's Office
• Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)
• Ghana Police Service
• Ghana Cyber Security Authority
• Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)
• National Intelligence Bureau (NIB)

U.S. agencies involved in the investigation included the Department of Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra.

The case is being prosecuted under the Elder Justice Initiative, a U.S. Department of Justice programme established under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017, which seeks to strengthen efforts to combat financial fraud, abuse and scams targeting older adults.