CLEVELAND / ACCRA – Popular Ghanaian social media figure Frederick Kumi, widely known online as Abu Trica, has been indicted by United States authorities for allegedly defrauding elderly victims out of more than $8 million through a sophisticated online romance scam network.
The investigation, led by the FBI’s Cleveland Division, alleges that Kumi—who also uses the name Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng—was a key member of a criminal conspiracy that used artificial intelligence and fake identities to exploit seniors across the U.S. beginning in 2023.
The Scheme: AI, False Identities, and Emotional Manipulation
According to court documents unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the operation targeted vulnerable senior citizens on social media and dating platforms. Posing as romantic interests, the conspirators allegedly built intimate online relationships with victims before fabricating crises to solicit money.
Prosecutors say the scams followed a familiar but devastating pattern:
Building trust and affection over weeks or months.
Inventing urgent financial needs, including fabricated medical emergencies, travel costs, and fake investment opportunities.
Using AI software to create and maintain convincing false personas.
Once funds were obtained from victims, the indictment alleges Abu Trica played a critical role in laundering and distributing the money from Ohio to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.
Arrest and Charges
Kumi was arrested by Ghanaian authorities on Thursday, December 11, 2025, following a coordinated international effort. He now faces serious federal charges, including:
Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
Money Laundering Conspiracy
Forfeiture Specification (requiring the surrender of any property derived from the alleged crimes)
If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing would take into account factors such as his specific role in the conspiracy and any prior criminal history.
A Cross-Border Collaboration
This case highlights the global nature of modern cyber fraud. The investigation and prosecution involved an unprecedented alliance of agencies from both nations, including:
Ghana: The Attorney General’s Office, EOCO, the Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority, NACOC, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
United States: The FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Protecting the Vulnerable: The Elder Justice Initiative
Officials emphasized that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, a program created under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017. The initiative is dedicated specifically to combating elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation—crimes that disproportionately impact senior citizens.
Presumption of Innocence
In a standard but important legal reminder, the U.S. Attorney’s Office included a clear statement on the defendant’s rights:
“The indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough for the Northern District of Ohio.
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