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Abu Trica charged in $8 million romance scam targeting elderly Americans
A Ghanaian national has been charged in the United States for his alleged role in a romance scam that took more than $8 million from elderly victims across the country.
A Federal Grand Jury in the Northern District of Ohio has indicted 31-year-old Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica, from Swedru in Ghana.
The indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday December 11, 2025, describes him as part of a criminal network that used online romance schemes to defraud victims.
He was arrested in Ghana on the same day.
According to U.S. authorities, the group used Artificial Intelligence tools to create fake identities.
They contacted victims mostly elderly people through social media and online dating platforms and built trust through frequent phone calls, emails, and messages.
The authorities said the scammers pretended to be in romantic relationships with the victims and later asked for money under false claims such as medical emergencies, travel needs, or investment opportunities.
The indictment states that once the victims sent money or valuables, Kumi worked with others to move the funds across the United States and then transfer them to partners in Ghana and other countries.
They mentioned that Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification.
According to them, he faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
The U.S authorities added that his final sentence, however, would depend on the court’s assessment of his criminal history and his role in the alleged scheme.
U.S. officials remind the public that an indictment is only an accusation and not proof of guilt. The government must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
They revealed that the FBI Cleveland Division led the investigation, with support from several agencies in both the U.S. and Ghana.
These include Ghana’s Attorney General’s Office, EOCO, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, NACOC, the National Intelligence Bureau, and U.S. agencies such as the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
The case forms part of the United States’ Elder Justice Initiative, which focuses on protecting older people from abuse, neglect, and financial scams.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
