TL;DR: On July 14, 2026, the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio said Frederick Kumi, 31, known as “Abu Trica”, was extradited from Ghana on July 9 over an alleged romance fraud network that took more than $8 million from over 80 elderly Americans between about April 2023 and November 2025. Prosecutors allege AI video platforms were used for fake personas. These are allegations.
What is alleged
The US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio says Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and “Abu Trica”, 31, of Swedru, Ghana, was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025 and extradited to the US on July 9, 2026. A co-defendant, Daniel Yussif, 31, of Accra, is also named. The charges are conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy; Kumi faces up to 20 years if convicted. An indictment is only a charge, not evidence of guilt.
How the network allegedly worked
The December 2025 DOJ release says the network targeted elderly people in the US since 2023, often finding them on social media and dating platforms. According to prosecutors:
- the scammers built trust through frequent, intimate conversations by phone, email and messaging apps;
- they then asked for money or valuables under false pretences such as urgent medical needs, travel costs or investment opportunities;
- victims sent funds to co-conspirators posing as third parties, and Kumi allegedly distributed the money from Ohio and other US locations to associates in Ghana and elsewhere;
- the July release says Kumi allegedly used AI-driven video platforms to interact with victims under fictitious female personas.
The scale
The July release says more than 80 elderly victims were allegedly defrauded of more than $8 million. International partners seized a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW. The FBI Cleveland Division investigated, and the case falls under the DOJ's Elder Justice Initiative.
What AI changes for victims
Fake faces on live video used to be the check that broke a scam. With AI, “I can't video call” is no longer the only tell. Look instead for money, urgency and a refusal to meet in person. Our deepfake fraud statistics and AI scam statistics track how fast this is growing.
Red flags
- A partner who calls often and always has an urgent money need.
- Requests to send money to a third party, not to the person you know.
- A video call that looks slightly off or never goes beyond a short clip.
- Investment or medical reasons for payment.
Read romance scam red flags and how to protect elderly parents. Report at IC3 and run our free email exposure check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abu Trica convicted?
No. He is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. An indictment is only a charge, not evidence of guilt.
How much money is alleged?
More than $8 million from over 80 elderly victims, between about April 2023 and November 2025.
How was AI allegedly used?
Prosecutors allege Kumi used AI-driven video platforms to talk to victims under fictitious female personas.
What was seized?
International partners seized a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW.
Sources
- US Attorney's Office, N.D. Ohio: Ghanaian national extradited to face accusations of romance fraud schemes (Jul 14, 2026)
- US Attorney's Office, N.D. Ohio: Ghanaian national charged with running romance scams that took over $8 million (Dec 11, 2025)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- FTC ReportFraud