The Economic and Organised Crime Office has announced that Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, will be extradited to the United States to face criminal charges over his alleged role in an eight million dollar romance fraud scheme targeting elderly victims.
In a news release dated December 12, 2025, EOCO said the extradition will follow the arrest of the Ghanaian national on Thursday, December 11, after a coordinated operation involving several local and international law enforcement agencies. Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, is accused of being part of a criminal network that operated across borders from 2023.
EOCO said the arrest was the result of months of intelligence gathering and investigations conducted jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Narcotics Control Commission, the International Criminal Police Organization, the National Investigations Bureau, the Cyber Security Authority and the Office of the Attorney General.
According to the statement, “Abu Trica” was part of a network that targeted elderly victims in the United States through romance scams, using Artificial Intelligence software to assume false identities online. The perpetrators allegedly formed close personal and romantic relationships with victims before deceiving them into parting with money and valuables.
“These victims were often elderly and engaged in romantic relationships with the perpetrators,” EOCO said, adding that the individuals were commonly targeted through social media and online dating platforms under false pretences.
The office said once trust had been established, the network obtained funds from victims and routed the proceeds through associates as part of a wider transnational scheme designed to conceal the origin of the money.
EOCO confirmed that following his arrest, Kumi will be extradited to the United States of America to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and a forfeiture specification. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
The announcement comes amid heightened public interest in the case due to Kumi’s high profile presence on social media, particularly Snapchat, where he was known for flaunting cash and luxury properties.
EOCO said the case highlights ongoing cooperation between Ghanaian authorities and international partners in addressing cyber enabled financial crimes and protecting vulnerable persons from online fraud. The office congratulated its local sister agencies as well as the FBI for their collaboration in bringing the suspect to book.
