Fresh details released by U.S. prosecutors allege that Ghanaian influencer Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, extradited from Accra led a sophisticated romance fraud network that used artificial intelligence, fake identities and money laundering schemes to steal more than $8 million from over 80 elderly Americans.

Abu Trica, 31, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng was extradited to the United States on 9 July after his arrest in Ghana in December 2025.

According to court documents, Kumi and co-defendant Daniel Yussif, also 31, allegedly led a criminal organisation that targeted elderly victims, many of them widows and divorcees, through online dating websites and social media platforms between April 2023 and November 2025.

Prosecutors allege Kumi used artificial intelligence-powered video technology to impersonate fictitious women while other members of the network communicated with victims through encrypted messaging applications and telephone calls to sustain the deception.

Victims were allegedly persuaded to send money after being told fabricated stories involving gold and diamond inheritances, with funds wired to accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy.

Authorities said the money was then laundered through fake businesses, bank accounts and money mules operating in Ghana and within the Ghanaian immigrant community in the United States before being distributed among members of the network.

U.S. investigators estimate that the alleged scheme defrauded more than 80 victims of over $8 million.

Prosecutors also allege 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. The assets have since been seized by law enforcement authorities.

Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, although any sentence would be determined by a federal court.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that the charges are allegations and that Kumi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The extradition followed cooperation between U.S. and Ghanaian authorities, including Ghana’s Attorney General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Narcotics Control Commission and the National Intelligence Bureau.

The case is being prosecuted under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, which targets financial crimes and scams against older adults.