The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has revealed that notorious cybercrime suspect Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, employed artificial intelligence tools to create false online identities and emotionally manipulate elderly American victims in an international romance scam valued at $8 million.
In a news release dated December 12, 2025, EOCO said the arrest followed several months of intelligence-led investigations conducted in collaboration with both local and international law enforcement agencies.
“The operation to arrest ‘Abu Trica’ follows several months of intelligence and investigations,” EOCO stated.
According to the Office, the suspect was part of a sophisticated criminal network that, from 2023, targeted elderly victims across the United States by using AI-powered software to impersonate individuals online and cultivate close personal relationships.
“The criminal network used Artificial Intelligence software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims,” the statement said.
Investigators explained that many of the victims were elderly and were gradually lured into romantic relationships before being defrauded of substantial sums of money, property and other valuables.
“These victims were often elderly and engaged in romantic relationships with the perpetrators,” EOCO noted.
The Office further disclosed that the syndicate relied heavily on social media and online dating platforms, deploying AI-generated profiles and messages to gain victims’ trust and exploit their emotional vulnerability.
“The network gained victims’ trust to obtain money and valuables, often targeting individuals through social media and online dating platforms under false pretences,” EOCO said.
The arrest was carried out by EOCO in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), INTERPOL, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), and the Office of the Attorney-General.
EOCO confirmed that Abu Trica will be extradited to the United States to face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification.
“‘Abu Trica’ will subsequently be extradited to the United States of America to face criminal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification,” the Office said, adding that the offences carry a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years.
EOCO commended its partner agencies for the successful operation, stating that it “wishes to congratulate its local sister agencies as well as the FBI for their collaboration.”
