A federal grand jury in the United States has returned a two-count indictment against a Ghanaian national accused of orchestrating a large-scale romance fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims of more than $8 million.
According to court documents in the recently unsealed indictment, 31-year-old Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica, allegedly operated as part of a criminal network that targeted vulnerable elderly individuals through online romance scams across multiple U.S. states.
The indictment outlines that the scheme began in 2023, during which Kumi and his associates posed as potential romantic partners on various platforms to gain trust, manipulate victims emotionally, and ultimately persuade them to send large sums of money. Prosecutors say many of the victims believed they were helping someone they loved and trusted, only to later discover they had been deceived.
Investigators revealed that the criminal group used sophisticated methods—including fake identities, fraudulent narratives, and coordinated international money transfers—to execute the operation. Funds from victims were allegedly routed through a network of accounts before reaching Ghana, making the transactions difficult to trace.
U.S. authorities worked closely with international partners, including Ghanaian law enforcement, to track Kumi’s activities. After months of investigation, Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, following a coordinated operation between U.S. federal agents and Ghanaian security agencies.
Federal prosecutors say the charges carry significant penalties, and if convicted, Kumi faces a lengthy prison sentence alongside restitution orders intended to compensate the victims. Officials emphasized that the indictment represents a major step in combating transnational fraud networks that continue to exploit elderly Americans.
Romance scams have become one of the fastest-growing forms of online fraud in the United States, with losses in the billions annually. Authorities warn that these schemes often rely on emotional manipulation, making them especially destructive and devastating for victims.
Law enforcement agencies in both countries have reiterated their commitment to dismantling fraud syndicates and holding perpetrators accountable. The investigation remains ongoing, with additional suspects possibly facing charges as evidence develops.
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