Abu Trica Scams Elderly Americans Using AI

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has arrested Frederick Kumi, known as Abu Trica, over an $8 million international romance scam targeting elderly American citizens. EOCO revealed that Trica utilized artificial intelligence (AI) tools to craft convincing false identities and manipulate his victims emotionally.

The arrest, according to a December 12, 2025 news release from EOCO, culminated months of intelligence gathering and collaborative investigations with both local and international law enforcement.

EOCO stated that Trica was a key member of a criminal network operating since 2023. The network specifically targeted vulnerable, older individuals in the United States, employing AI software to build fictitious online personas and cultivate romantic relationships.

Investigators found that the victims were systematically lured into these relationships before being swindled out of significant amounts of money and valuable possessions.

“The syndicate relied heavily on social media and online dating platforms, using AI-generated profiles and communications to gain trust and exploit emotional vulnerability,” EOCO explained in its statement.

The successful operation involved a multi-agency collaboration, including the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), INTERPOL, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), and the Office of the Attorney-General.

EOCO has confirmed that Abu Trica will be extradited to the United States to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and forfeiture. These offenses carry a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.

EOCO extended its congratulations to its partner agencies for their contributions to the operation, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime.

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