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Abu Trica is arrested after US Federal indictment for $8million scam of US victims; faces up to 20yrs in prison
Posted On 12 Dec 2025
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Tag: $8 million, 20 years, 31, Abu Trica, arrest, Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, FBI, federal indictment, fraud, Frederick Kumi, Ghana, Prison, scam
A Ghanaian man popularly known on Snapchat as “Abu Trica”, who gained notoriety for flaunting bundles of cash as well as luxury cars and houses on the platform, has been indicted in the United States for allegedly orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that stole more than eight million dollars from elderly Americans.
A recently unsealed indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio names the suspect as Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica.
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.
According to prosecutors, Kumi was part of a criminal network that, since 2023, targeted elderly Americans through sophisticated romance scams. The indictment states that the group used Artificial Intelligence tools to create convincing fake identities on social media and online dating platforms, enabling them to form emotionally intimate long-distance relationships with their victims.
U.S. authorities said the perpetrators would engage victims in frequent and affectionate conversations by phone, email and messaging apps to build trust. Once the victims became emotionally committed, they were deceived into sending money or valuables under false pretences, including fabricated medical emergencies, supposed travel expenses or fake investment opportunities.
The indictment alleges that after funds were sent, Kumi coordinated with associates in Ohio and across the United States to receive and redistribute the money to co-conspirators in Ghana and other countries. Prosecutors say the operation was structured to hide its origins and frustrate attempts to trace the proceeds of the fraud.
Kumi 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. U.S. officials noted that sentencing would depend on several factors, including his role in the scheme and his criminal history, if any.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt and that Kumi is entitled to a fair trial. Prosecutors must prove their case beyond reasonable doubt before any conviction can be secured.
The investigation was led by the FBI’s Cleveland Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian McDonough. The United States acknowledged extensive collaboration from Ghana’s Attorney General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Narcotics Control Commission, the National Intelligence Bureau, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra.
The case forms part of the Elder Justice Initiative under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017, which targets scams, fraud and financial exploitation directed at older Americans. The U.S. Department of Justice urged the public to report suspected elder financial abuse through its designated online platforms.
Source: Graphic
Below is the full press release announcing his arrest;
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 [https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/ghanaian-national-charged-running-romance-scams-took-over-8-million-elderly-victims]
