Ghanaian national, Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica, has been extradited to the United States to face charges over his alleged role in a romance fraud scheme that authorities say defrauded more than 80 elderly victims of over $8 million.
Kumi, 31, who is from Swedru in Ghana’s Central Region, was extradited to the United States on July 9, 2026, after he was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
He has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, and if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. Prosecutors are also seeking the forfeiture of assets allegedly acquired through the proceeds of the fraud.
According to court documents, Kumi and his alleged accomplice, Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni and Slab, were leaders of a criminal network that orchestrated romance scams targeting elderly Americans between April 2023 and November 2025.
Authorities allege the syndicate used online dating platforms and social media to identify vulnerable victims, many of whom were widows or divorcees, before gaining their trust through fake online relationships.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Kumi used sophisticated technology to carry out the alleged scheme.
“Kumi employed advanced techniques including AI-driven video platforms to engage with the victims under fictitious female personas,” the office said in a statement.
Investigators said members of the network maintained the false identities through encrypted messaging applications and telephone conversations, convincing victims to transfer money after being deceived with fabricated stories involving gold and diamond inheritances.
The stolen funds were allegedly channelled through bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy before being laundered through fake businesses and money mules in Ghana and within the Ghanaian immigrant community in the United States.
Authorities further allege that Kumi used proceeds from the scheme to purchase luxury assets, including a mansion in Ghana and several expensive vehicles.
International law enforcement agencies seized a Lamborghini, Tesla Cybertruck, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and the luxury residence during the investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Kumi and Yussif “acted as leaders of a group that used online dating sites and social media to identify and target their victims, who were often widows or divorcees.”
The investigation was led by the FBI’s Cleveland Division with support from several Ghanaian security agencies, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service, Cyber Security Authority, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).
However, U.S. prosecutors stressed that the charges remain allegations.
“An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” the statement said.
The prosecution forms part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, a programme established to combat financial exploitation and fraud schemes targeting older adults.
