A Ghanaian national, Frederick Kumi—also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica—appeared before the Gbese District Court in Accra on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, under heavy security following his arrest over his alleged involvement in an $8 million international romance scam targeting elderly Americans.
Kumi, 34, was arrested on December 11, 2025, in a joint operation by Ghanaian law enforcement agencies and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), following months of investigations into a transnational cybercrime network.
According to U.S. authorities, Kumi allegedly masterminded a sophisticated online romance fraud scheme that operated across multiple digital platforms. The scam reportedly involved creating fake online identities to form emotional relationships with elderly victims, mainly in the United States, before convincing them to transfer large sums of money under false pretences.
The case has attracted international attention due to the scale of the fraud and the close collaboration between Ghanaian and U.S. authorities. Investigators say the operation has been active since 2023, with victims losing millions of dollars.
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Ohio has indicted Kumi on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy, alleging that he played a central role in coordinating the scheme and laundering the proceeds.
Kumi’s arrest and court appearance are part of broader efforts by Ghanaian and international partners to combat cybercrime and protect vulnerable individuals from online financial exploitation.