A popular Ghanaian social media influencer known as Abu Trica, whose real name is Frederick Kumi, has been arrested over allegations he orchestrated a romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of over $8 million (£5.9 million).
Prosecutors said he used AI tools to create fake online identities, targeting victims through social media and dating sites, earning their trust then extorting their money.
Kumi faces charges in the U.S. of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and a money laundering conspiracy and could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
The 31-year-old was arrested in Ghana following a joint operation between the two countries, and the U.S. will now seek to extradite him.
He has not yet commented on the allegations. Kumi, who is also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, flaunted luxury items online to his more than 100,000 Instagram followers, raising suspicions about the sources of his income.
The perpetrators built trust through frequent, intimate conversations by phone, email, and messaging platforms with victims, said prosecutors. They then requested money or valuables under false pretenses, such as urgent medical needs, travel expenses, or investment opportunities.
The funds or valuables were then directed to co-conspirators posing as third parties. Kumi allegedly distributed the money to his associates in the U.S. and Ghana.
The case is being prosecuted under the U.S. Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution law. U.S. authorities have recently stepped up their crackdown on criminal networks in the U.S. and West Africa targeting elderly Americans.
In July this year, an alleged Ghanaian fraudster, popularly known as Dada Joe Remix, was extradited to the U.S. for using romance and inheritance schemes to defraud Americans.
Earlier this month, a court in the U.S. sentenced Oluwaseun Adekoya, a Nigerian ringleader of nationwide bank fraud and money laundering conspiracies, to 20 years in prison for laundering over $2 million.
Additional reporting by Natasha Booty
