A Ghanaian national identified as Frederick Kumi, widely known as Abu Trica, has been extradited to the United States to face federal charges linked to an alleged romance fraud scheme that investigators say swindled more than 80 elderly Americans out of over $8 million.
The 31 year old, who is also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, before being extradited to the US on July 9.
Prosecutors in the Northern District of Ohio accuse him of leading an international criminal network that exploited elderly victims through elaborate online deception.
If convicted, Kumi faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money.
Prosecutors outline sophisticated fraud operation
According to court documents, Kumi, who hails from Swedru in Ghana's Central Region, allegedly worked alongside co defendant Daniel Yussif, also 31, of Accra. Investigators claim the pair coordinated a fraud ring that operated between April 2023 and November 2025.
Authorities allege the network searched for vulnerable targets on dating websites and social media platforms, focusing largely on widows and divorced elderly women across the United States.
Court filings say Kumi used artificial intelligence powered video technology to strengthen fake online identities. Investigators believe he posed as women online while associates in Ghana maintained conversations with victims through encrypted messaging platforms and phone calls.
The deception, prosecutors say, often revolved around fabricated stories involving gold, diamonds or inheritance claims. Victims were persuaded to transfer money into accounts controlled by members of the alleged conspiracy before the funds were moved through a network of money mules and shell businesses.
The indictment states that Kumi and his associates "used online dating sites and social media to identify and target their victims," adding that they relied on "AI driven video platforms to engage with the victims under fictitious female personas."
Luxury assets seized during investigation
US authorities also allege that proceeds from the scheme financed an extravagant lifestyle.
International law enforcement agencies reportedly seized several high value assets believed to have been purchased with fraud proceeds. Those assets include a mansion in Ghana alongside a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes Benz and a BMW.
Federal prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of assets linked to the alleged criminal enterprise in addition to pursuing criminal charges.
Ghanaian agencies praised for cooperation
The extradition followed months of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in Ghana and the United States.
The US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio acknowledged the support of Ghana's Attorney General's Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Narcotics Control Commission and the National Intelligence Bureau.
American agencies involved in the investigation included the FBI Cleveland Division, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Sensitive Investigation Unit, the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra.
Assistant US Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison are prosecuting the case.
Charges remain allegations
Federal prosecutors stressed that the indictment should not be interpreted as proof of guilt.
"The indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt," the Department of Justice said, noting that every defendant is entitled to a fair trial and that the government bears the burden of proving the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case forms part of the US Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative, a programme created under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act to combat financial crimes targeting older adults.
Authorities say the investigation also aligns with the newly established National Fraud Enforcement Division, which focuses on large scale fraud schemes affecting the American public.
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