The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has described Frederick 'Abu Trica' Kumi as “one of Ghana's notorious scammers”.

The office said the arrest of Abu Trica, who is sometimes called Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, took place on Thursday, December 11, 2025, and was the result of a coordinated operation involving a multi-agency task force.

In a statement dated Friday, December 12, 2025, EOCO said the arrest was executed through extensive international and domestic collaboration.

“The EOCO team in an international investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), together with the Cyber-Security Authority (CSA) and the Office of the Attorney General undertook this operation,” the office enumerated.

EOCO explained that the operation followed “several months of intelligence and investigations,” culminating in the arrest of the Swedru-based suspect.

According to the Raymond Archer-led EOCO, Abu Trica was a member of a transnational criminal network that has, since 2023, targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States.

“The criminal network used Artificial Intelligence software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims. These victims were often elderly and engaged in romantic relationships with the perpetrators. The network gained victims' trust to obtain money and valuables, often targeting individuals through social media and online dating platforms under false pretenses,” EOCO added.

EOCO further indicated that Abu Trica would “subsequently be extradited to the United States of America to face criminal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specitication, and faces up to 20 years in prison”.

The office commended its local partner agencies and the FBI for what appears to be a successful example of inter-agency and international cooperation in combating organised cybercrime.