By Seli Baisie
A Ghanaian National, Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng or Abu Trica, has been indicted in the United States for allegedly defrauding elderly victims of over $8 million through romance scams dating back to 2023.
The 31-year-old from Swedru was arrested in Ghana on Thursday, December 11, 2025, following a joint operation between Ghanaian and U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Abu Trica is accused of working with a criminal network that used artificial intelligence to impersonate individuals online and manipulate victims into sending money.
According to the newly unsealed indictment, the group allegedly created fake identities and built intimate, long-distance relationships with victims, mostly elderly people, through social media and online dating platforms.
Prosecutors say the perpetrators held “frequent, personal conversations” with victims via phone, email and messaging apps before requesting money for fabricated emergencies, medical bills, travel costs or business opportunities.
Victims, believing they were helping someone they trusted, sent funds and valuables that were then channelled to associates posing as intermediaries. The indictment alleges that Abu Trica helped co-conspirators move the proceeds from Ohio to recipients in Ghana and elsewhere.
Abu Trica has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. The US Department of Justice stressed that sentencing would depend on factors such as his criminal history and role in the alleged conspiracy.
Prosecutors emphasised that “an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt,” noting that he is entitled to a fair trial and that the government must prove its case “beyond a reasonable doubt”.
The case is being handled under the United States’ Elder Justice Initiative, established under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017, which targets fraud schemes that exploit older adults.
The FBI Cleveland Division led the investigation, with assistance from several US and Ghanaian agencies, including the Ghana Attorney-General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Cyber Security Authority, NACOC, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI Legal Attaché in Accra.
Assistant US Attorney Brian M. McDonough is prosecuting the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
Below is the full statement;
Ghanaian National Charged with Running Romance Scams That Took Over $8 Million From Elderly Victims
Thursday, December 11, 2025
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio
CLEVELAND – A federal grand jury has returned a 2-count indictment charging a Ghanaian National with defrauding elderly victims out of over $8 million.
According to a recently unsealed indictment, Frederick Kumi, aka Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, aka Abu Trica, 31, of Swedru, Ghana was part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States since 2023. Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025.
According to the indictment, perpetrators of this romance scam used Artificial Intelligence software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims. They gained victims’ trust to obtain money and valuables, often targeting individuals through social media and online dating platforms under false pretenses.
Victims were often elderly and engaged in romantic but physically distant relationships with perpetrators. The perpetrators built trust through frequent, intimate conversations by phone, email, and messaging platforms. They then requested money or valuables under false pretenses, such as urgent medical needs, travel expenses, or investment opportunities. Relying on these misrepresentations, victims were persuaded to send funds or valuables, which were then directed to co-conspirators posing as third parties.
The indictment also alleges that after the victims transferred funds, Kumi worked with a network of co-conspirators to distribute the money from Ohio and across the United States to associates in the Republic of Ghana and other locations.
Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification, and faces up to 20 years in prison.
If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including a defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough for the Northern District of Ohio.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio would like to acknowledge and thank the Ghana Attorney General’s Office, EOCO – Ghana Economic Organised Crime Office, GPS – Ghana Police Service, Ghana Cyber Security Authority, NACOC – Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana National Intelligence Bureau, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Sensitive Investigation Unit, U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra for their cooperation with this matter.
The investigation and prosecution of this case is in response to the Elder Justice Initiative Program originating from the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017 (EAPPA). The mission of the EAPPA and Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams that target the nation’s elderly population.
To submit a report of suspected elder financial abuse, visit tips.fbi.gov/home or justice.gov/elderjustice/financial-exploitation.
Contact
Jessica Salas Novak
Jessica.Salas.Novak@usdoj.gov
