Ghanaian social media influencer Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has been extradited to the United States to face trial over allegations that he participated in an international romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of more than $8 million. Prosecutors allege the scheme involved wire fraud and money laundering, while Kumi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Ghanaian influencer and businessman Frederick Kumi, widely known as Abu Trica, has been extradited to the United States to stand trial over his alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar romance fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans.
His extradition follows a ruling by the High Court in Accra approving a request by U.S. authorities for his surrender after months of legal proceedings in Ghana.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Kumi is accused of participating in a criminal network that allegedly used fake online identities to build romantic relationships with elderly victims before persuading them to send money under false pretences.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that the fraud network stole more than $8 million from victims through romance scams and laundered the proceeds through various financial channels.
Kumi faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence under U.S. federal law. An indictment, however, is only an allegation, and he remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Kumi had been in custody in Ghana since December 2025 following his arrest on a U.S. extradition request.
Although he was granted bail by a Ghanaian court earlier this year, the High Court later approved his extradition after considering the request from U.S. authorities. His legal team made last-minute efforts to halt the transfer, but the extradition proceeded on Thursday.
The U.S. Department of Justice said the investigation was conducted in collaboration with Ghanaian law enforcement agencies and the FBI.
Authorities allege the fraud scheme used artificial intelligence tools and fake online identities to gain victims’ trust before soliciting money under false claims. Kumi is expected to appear before a U.S. federal court to answer the charges.
The extradition marks a significant step in cross-border cooperation between Ghanaian and U.S. authorities in combating transnational cybercrime and online financial fraud. The case will now proceed before the U.S. courts, where prosecutors will be required to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.