The Cyber Security Authority (CSA), in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has successfully apprehended Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng or ‘Abu Trica’, 31, along with two accomplices, in connection with an international romance scam.

The suspects are alleged to have defrauded victims, primarily elderly individuals in the United States, of over $8 million since 2023.

The operation was coordinated under the leadership of the Acting Director-General of CSA, Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti.

A federal grand jury in the U.S. has returned a two-count indictment against Kumi, accusing him of orchestrating schemes that employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to impersonate false identities and build personal relationships with victims online. The perpetrators reportedly exploited social media and dating platforms to gain victims’ trust and convince them to transfer money and valuables under false pretences.

According to the indictment, after receiving funds from victims, Kumi allegedly collaborated with a network of co-conspirators to move the money from the United States to associates in Ghana and other locations abroad.

Kumi faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Authorities have vowed to continue cracking down on cybercrime networks operating both locally and internationally, emphasising the growing threat posed by technology-enabled fraud schemes.