Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, is accused by US prosecutors of masterminding a romance scam that stole over $8 million from over 80 elderly Americans using artificial intelligence-driven technologies and fictitious online personas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio made the accusations in a statement after Kumi was extradited from Ghana to the United States on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
U.S. court filings claim that between April 2023 and November 2025, Kumi and his co-defendant, Daniel Yussif, were in charge of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims nationwide.
According to the prosecution, the group mostly targeted older widows and divorcees and found victims through social media and online dating services.
They are accused of gaining victims’ trust by pretending to be women in order to get them to give money.
Kumi “employed advanced techniques including AI-driven video platforms to engage with the victims under fictitious female personas,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice, while other conspirators maintained their false identities through encrypted messaging apps and phone conversations.
Investigators claim that victims were tricked into thinking they were in real romantic relationships before being convinced to send money to help with made-up tales about inheritances of diamonds or riches.
The money was allegedly transferred to accomplices in Ghana and other nations after being placed in bank accounts under the supervision of conspiracy participants.
Prosecutors further claim that the network laundered millions of dollars through bank accounts and shell companies using money mules in Ghana and Ghanaian immigrants living in the United States.
Over 80 elderly victims allegedly contributed over $8 million to the fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Additionally, authorities claim that Kumi bought a property in Ghana, a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz, and a BMW with money obtained from the alleged fraud.
Since then, law enforcement has taken possession of the assets.
On July 9, 2026, Kumi was extradited to the United States after being detained in Ghana on December 11, 2025.
He is accused of both money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy. Additionally, the prosecution is requesting the confiscation of assets they claim were obtained through the scheme’s revenues.
Kumi could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail for each count if found guilty.
The court will decide on any sentence after taking into account his alleged involvement in the offences, any criminal history, and other pertinent sentencing circumstances.
The accusations are yet unsubstantiated, and Kumi is presumed innocent until and until proven guilty in a court of law, as is the case with all criminal prosecutions.
Source: newsthemegh.com