Frederick Kumi, a 31-year-old Ghanaian from Swedru, has been taken into custody in Ghana over his alleged role in an $8 million romance scam that targeted elderly victims in the United States. A recently unsealed U.S. federal indictment identifies him under additional aliases, including Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica. The document alleges that since 2023, Kumi operated as part of a criminal syndicate that exploited Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to fabricate false identities and lure victims into online romantic relationships.
The perpetrators reportedly targeted elderly individuals through social media and dating platforms, building trust through frequent phone calls, emails, and messaging before requesting money or valuables under false pretences, such as urgent medical bills, travel expenses, or investment opportunities.
The funds and valuables obtained were then allegedly sent to co-conspirators in Ghana and other locations. Kumi is facing charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification, with potential prison terms of up to 20 years if convicted.
U.S. authorities emphasised that an indictment is a formal charge, not proof of guilt, and Kumi is entitled to a fair trial in which the government must prove his involvement beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation 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.
Several Ghanaian institutions played key roles in the case, including the Attorney General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and the National Intelligence Bureau, among others.
The matter falls under the Elder Justice Initiative Program, established through the U.S. Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017, which seeks to combat financial fraud, abuse, and neglect affecting older populations. Kumi was apprehended in Ghana on December 11, 2025, and investigations remain ongoing to identify accomplices and recover the stolen funds.
Source: Juliana Odame Asare
