Abu Trica disputed allegations that he was involved in an $8 million romance-fraud scheme
Popular Ghanaian businessman and social media personality Abu Trica has disputed allegations that he was involved in an $8 million romance-fraud scheme, insisting that the amount linked to him was far smaller than widely reported.
Speaking in an interview on Onua TV on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Abu Trica, whose real name is Fredrick Kumi, said the money at the centre of the case was approximately $71,000, not the more than $8 million cited by U.S. prosecutors in their broader investigation.
According to him, the funds remain in the possession of US authorities.
"The money under contention wasn't even up to $100,000. It was about $71,000, and it is all with them, the FBI people," he said.
Abu Trica further claimed that his involvement was limited to receiving a commission from a transaction he facilitated.
He stated that court documents showed he received a total of $13,000, of which he kept only $5,000, while the remaining $8,000 went to another individual.
"The money I received as commission was just around $5,000. The whole amount was $13,000. The person I had helped took $8,000 and left the rest for me," he said.
He argued that the figures contained in the charge sheet support his account, adding that there was "nothing like $8 million" directly connected to him.
Despite the relatively small amount he says was involved, he was granted bail of GH¢3 million.
12 Hours, 3 Teams: Inside the operation that led to Abu Trica's arrest
The businessman was arrested following a U.S. indictment alleging his involvement in an international romance-fraud and money-laundering network accused of targeting elderly Americans.
US authorities allege that the wider scheme generated more than $8 million in illicit proceeds.
Abu Trica has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is challenging efforts to extradite him to the United States.
He was granted bail on April 21, 2026.
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