The United States Department of Justice has disclosed that assets and properties belonging to Ghanaian socialite, Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, have been seized following his extradition to the United States of America to face trial over his alleged involvement in an $8 million romance scam.
In a statement issued on July 14, 2026, the Department of Justice alleged that Kumi used proceeds from the suspected fraud to acquire several luxury assets in Ghana.
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The seized assets include a mansion in Ghana and luxury vehicles such as a Lamborghini, Tesla Cybertruck, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as, other valuable items that were not specified.
“Kumi allegedly used his ill-gotten gains to acquire luxury vehicles and other items of value. Assets seized by international law enforcement partners included a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, Tesla Cybertruck, Mercedes Benz, and BMW,” portions of the statement read.
The Department of Justice said the assets are subject to forfeiture after Kumi was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, offences that carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
Details of the alleged scam
According to court documents, Kumi and his co-defendant, Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni or Slab, 31, of Accra, Ghana, were members of a criminal network that allegedly targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States from 2023.
Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, and extradited to the United States on July 9, 2026.
The court documents further allege that Kumi and Yussif led a group that used online dating platforms and social media to identify and deceive victims, many of whom were widows or divorcees, into sending them money under false pretences.
It added that the network used AI-powered video platforms to communicate with victims while posing under fake identities, including pretending to be women.
Other members of the group also relied on associates in Ghana to communicate directly with victims through encrypted messaging apps and phone calls to maintain the false identities used to carry out the fraud.
“After being misled by false stories or gold or diamond inheritances, the victims sent money via wire transfer to financial accounts controlled by conspiracy members. Portions of the funds were further provided to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere,” the statement said.
“Kumi and other co-conspirators used money mules based in Ghana, and contacts in the Ghanaian immigrant community in the U.S., to launder millions of dollars through fake businesses and bank accounts,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice explained that if Abu Trica and his co-conspirators are convicted, their sentences will be determined by the court after considering factors specific to each defendant.
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These include any previous criminal record, their role in the alleged offences, and the nature of the violations.
The Department added that any sentence imposed will not exceed the maximum penalty allowed by law and, in most cases, is likely to be less than the statutory maximum.
MAG/VPO
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