The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio has announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a 31-year-old Ghanaian national, Frederick Kumi, widely known as Abu Trica, for defrauding victims of more than $8 million through romance scams targeting elderly individuals across the United States.
Kumi, who also goes by the aliases Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, was arrested in Ghana on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Details of the High-Tech Scam
According to the indictment, Kumi was part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims across the United States, starting in 2023.
The scheme allegedly involved the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to create multiple fake identities. Kumi and his co-conspirators used these identities to establish close personal relationships with targets through social media and online dating platforms, gaining their trust before soliciting money and valuables under false pretenses.
The perpetrators allegedly used intimate conversations via phone, email, and messaging apps to request funds for:
- Supposed medical emergencies.
- Travel expenses.
- Investment opportunities.
Once the victims transferred money, Kumi and his network allegedly distributed the funds from Ohio and other U.S. locations to associates in Ghana and elsewhere.
Charges and Potential Sentence
Kumi faces several severe charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering
- A forfeiture specification
Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough for the Northern District of Ohio, following an FBI Cleveland Division investigation that led to the indictment.
Social Media Persona
Abu Trica is a prominent figure among Ghanaian youth, known for his substantial social media following. Online videos frequently show him displaying luxury jewelry, large amounts of cash, and traveling in convoys of exotic cars with friends, a stark contrast to the serious federal charges he now faces.
Source: Africa Publicity
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