Abu Trica Faces 20 Years for $8m Romance Scam
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has arrested Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, a prime suspect in a multi-million dollar cyber fraud operation. The arrest, a significant victory in the fight against transnational cybercrime, was confirmed by EOCO on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Abu Trica now faces potential extradition to the United States, where he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He is accused of masterminding an $8 million romance scam targeting elderly and vulnerable individuals across the US.
According to EOCO’s statement, the suspect will be charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and forfeiture specification upon arrival in the US. “Abu Trica will subsequently be extradited to the United States of America to face criminal charges… and faces up to 20 years in prison,” the statement read.
The operation leading to Trica’s arrest was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, INTERPOL, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), among other Ghanaian agencies. Investigators revealed the syndicate employed sophisticated AI tools to create convincing fake online personas.
These fabricated identities were used to emotionally manipulate victims, establishing romantic relationships before defrauding them of their money and assets. The use of AI represents a worrying escalation in cybercrime tactics, leveraging technology for emotional exploitation, according to sources close to the investigation.
EOCO has lauded the cooperation between local and international partners, stressing the need for a unified approach to tackling complex transnational crimes. “EOCO wishes to congratulate its local sister agencies as well as the FBI for their collaboration,” the statement added. The successful arrest underscores Ghana’s commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting its citizens and international partners.
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