A federal grand jury in the United States has returned a two-count indictment against a Ghanaian national, Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng or “Abu Trica” accusing him of orchestrating a wide-reaching romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of more than $8 million.
The 31-year-old, originally from Swedru in Ghana’s Central Region, was arrested in Ghana. The indictment, recently unsealed, alleges that Abu Trica was a key member of a criminal network that preyed on elderly victims across the United States through sophisticated fraud schemes since 2023.
According to U.S. prosecutors, the perpetrators used Artificial Intelligence tools to impersonate romantic partners online, creating convincing false identities to lure victims into emotionally intimate but physically distant relationships.
The scammers primarily targeted elderly individuals on social media and online dating platforms. They established trust through frequent, affectionate communication via phone, email, and messaging apps only to later fabricate emergencies such as medical crises, travel issues, or investment opportunities to solicit money.
Once victims sent funds or valuables, investigators say Abu Trica coordinated the movement of the money through associates in Ohio and other U.S. states before routing it to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.
Abu Trica faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in addition to a forfeiture specification. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio credited several Ghanaian and U.S. agencies for their cooperation, including:
• Ghana Attorney General’s Office
• EOCO – Economic Organised Crime Office
• Ghana Police Service
• Ghana Cyber Security Authority
• NACOC – Narcotics Control Commission
• Ghana National Intelligence Bureau
• DEA Sensitive Investigation Unit
• U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
• U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs
• FBI Legal Attaché in Accra
U.S. officials noted that the case forms part of the Elder Justice Initiative under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017. The initiative coordinates federal efforts to combat fraud and abuse affecting older Americans who remain prime targets for romance scams, financial fraud, and exploitation.