United States prosecutors have detailed how a network of money mules in Ghana and contacts within the Ghanaian immigrant community in the United States allegedly helped Ghanaian national Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, launder millions of dollars generated from an international romance scam.
According to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the laundering operation formed a key part of an alleged fraud scheme that targeted more than 80 elderly Americans and defrauded them of over US$8 million between April 2023 and November 2025.
Prosecutors allege that Kumi and co-defendant Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni or Slab, led a criminal network that first identified vulnerable victims; mostly widows and divorcees, through online dating sites and social media platforms.
The victims were allegedly deceived into believing they were in genuine romantic relationships with fictitious women. Investigators say Kumi used AI-driven video technology to make the fake identities appear more convincing, while other members of the network communicated with victims through encrypted messaging apps and phone calls to sustain the deception.
Once victims were persuaded by fabricated stories involving gold or diamond inheritances, they were instructed to wire money into financial accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy.
It is at this stage, prosecutors say, that the alleged money laundering network became crucial.
According to the indictment, portions of the money received from victims were transferred to co-conspirators in Ghana and other countries, where the funds were allegedly moved through a network of money mules based in Ghana.
Investigators allege that these money mules received, transferred and concealed the proceeds of the fraud, helping distance the money from its original source.
The court documents further state that Kumi and his associates also relied on contacts within the Ghanaian immigrant community in the United States to move the proceeds through fake businesses and multiple bank accounts.
Prosecutors allege that the use of these businesses and accounts helped disguise the origin of the money, making it appear as though the transactions were legitimate while allowing millions of dollars to be circulated without immediately attracting the attention of investigators.
Authorities say the sophisticated network enabled the alleged fraud proceeds to be distributed among members of the conspiracy while concealing the money trail.
The indictment also alleges that Kumi used part of the proceeds to acquire luxury assets, including a mansion in Ghana and high-end vehicles such as a Lamborghini, Tesla Cybertruck, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, all of which have since been seized by international law enforcement authorities.
Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, and extradited to the United States on July 9, 2026, to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison, although prosecutors stressed that the charges are allegations and that Kumi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
