The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed the arrest of suspected cyber-fraud kingpin Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, over his alleged role in a multi-million-dollar romance scam targeting elderly victims in the United States.
In a statement issued on Friday, December 12, 2025, EOCO said the arrest was carried out on Thursday, December 11, following months of intensive investigations coordinated with both local and international law enforcement agencies.
The operation involved the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), INTERPOL, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) and the Office of the Attorney-General.
According to investigators, the criminal syndicate deployed sophisticated artificial intelligence tools to create fake online identities, engage victims in romantic conversations and ultimately defraud them of large sums of money and other valuables.
EOCO explained that the scheme, valued at about $8 million, primarily targeted elderly persons across the United States, exploiting emotional vulnerability through online platforms.
The Office confirmed that Abu Trica is expected to be extradited to the United States to face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and a forfeiture specification.
If convicted, the suspect faces a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years under US law.
“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, and faces up to 20 years in prison,” EOCO stated.
EOCO described the arrest as a significant milestone in Ghana’s fight against transnational cybercrime and commended its partner agencies for the successful operation.
The Office added that it “wishes to congratulate its local sister agencies as well as the FBI for their collaboration.”
