A popular Ghanaian social media influencer known as Abu Trica has been arrested in Accra for allegedly running a large-scale romance-fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of more than $8 million.
The suspect, 31-year-old Frederick Kumi—also known online as Abu Trica and identified by authorities as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng—was taken into custody during a joint operation involving Ghanaian security agencies and U.S. federal investigators.
According to the BBC, U.S. prosecutors have charged him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracy, offences that each carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
Investigators say Kumi used advanced artificial intelligence tools to create fake identities, complete with realistic photos and convincing personal stories. These fabricated profiles were allegedly deployed on social media and dating platforms to target vulnerable senior citizens.
Once communication began, prosecutors say the victims were drawn into emotional conversations and persuaded to send money under false claims such as urgent medical needs, travel issues, or emergency expenses.
Authorities reportedly became suspicious when Kumi began flaunting wads of cash, high-end cars, and mansions on Instagram, where he has over 100,000 followers. The sudden display of wealth prompted deeper financial-crime investigations.
Officials said the stolen funds were routed through accomplices in both Ghana and the United States, with Kumi playing a leading role in distributing the proceeds.
The case is being prosecuted under the U.S. Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act, which targets crimes committed against senior citizens. U.S. law enforcement agencies have recently intensified operations against criminal networks in West Africa linked to romance, inheritance, and online-fraud schemes.
In July, another Ghanaian suspect, Dada Joe Remix, was extradited to the U.S. over similar allegations. Earlier this month, a U.S. court sentenced Nigerian national Oluwaseun Adekoya to 20 years in prison for laundering more than $2 million in a nationwide fraud scheme.
