United States prosecutors have charged Ghanaian national Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, with allegedly using artificial intelligence technology and fake online identities to operate a romance scam that defrauded more than 80 elderly Americans of over $8 million.
The allegations are contained in a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio following Kumi’s extradition from Ghana to the United States to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Kumi and his alleged co-defendant, Daniel Yussif, operated a criminal network that targeted elderly victims across the United States between April 2023 and November 2025.
Investigators allege that the group identified victims through online dating platforms and social media, focusing primarily on elderly widows and divorcees.
Prosecutors say the suspects created fictitious female identities to establish online relationships with victims before persuading them to send money. They further allege that Kumi used AI-driven video technology to communicate with victims while posing as female personas.
Other members of the alleged network are accused of using encrypted messaging platforms and telephone calls to maintain the false identities and sustain contact with victims.
According to court documents, victims were led to believe they were in genuine romantic relationships before being asked to provide financial assistance for fabricated stories involving gold and diamond inheritances.
Prosecutors allege that the funds were transferred into bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy before being moved to accomplices in Ghana and other countries.
U.S. authorities also allege that the network used money mules in Ghana and members of the Ghanaian immigrant community in the United States to launder the proceeds through shell companies and bank accounts.
The Department of Justice estimates that the alleged scheme generated more than $8 million from over 80 elderly victims.
Prosecutors further allege that Kumi used proceeds from the fraud to acquire luxury assets, including a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW. U.S. authorities said the assets have since been seized.
Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, and extradited to the United States on July 9, 2026.
He has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors are also seeking the forfeiture of assets they allege were acquired with proceeds from the scheme.
If convicted, Kumi faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on each count.
The allegations remain unproven. Kumi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
