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Abu Trica charged in $8 million romance scam targeting elderly Americans
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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
Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has questioned why Ghana continues to import toothpicks despite having the resources to produce them locally.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Iddrisu, who previously served as Minister for Trade and Industry, said he feels ashamed that the country still depends on imports for such a basic product.
“I have been Minister for Trade and Industry before and I carry the shame. How come that in Ghana we cannot produce toothpicks and we have to import them?” he asked.
According to him, Ghana has enough resources to support local businesses to manufacture products such as toothpicks instead of relying on imports. He said the country should encourage private sector investment in manufacturing to create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign goods.
Mr. Iddrisu alleged that some people who received government support under private sector initiatives failed to use the funds for their intended purpose.
“If you want, Honorable Kojo, because you… I can’t go there. There are people who took money in the name of the private sector and said they were going to farm. That money never went to their farms. You know that,” he told Parliament.
On job creation, the Education Minister said he agreed with the views expressed by a colleague on the need to create more employment opportunities. However, he argued that the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme did not provide the solution to Ghana’s employment challenges.
Mr. Iddrisu made the remarks during parliamentary proceedings while contributing to discussions on job creation and the country’s industrial development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications officer, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has dismissed reports linking him to an alleged GH¢55 million case, insisting that no such issue was raised during his detention by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
In a Facebook post after his release from EOCO custody, Mr Aboagye stated that at no point during his detention was he questioned about any GH¢55 million.
“For the records: There was no discussion of any GH¢55 million with me by EOCO. None,” he wrote.
According to him, he was detained for four days, a day after announcing his intention to contest for the position of National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party.
Mr Aboagye alleged that false narratives were circulated about his arrest but expressed confidence that the truth would eventually prevail.
He thanked NPP supporters who demonstrated and called for his release, saying news of the protests reached him while he was in detention and encouraged him.
Mr Aboagye indicated that the support shown by party faithful strengthened his resolve and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the NPP.
He maintained that his detention had not discouraged him from pursuing his political ambition.
“If the intention was to break me, it has failed. If the intention was to scare me, it has failed spectacularly,” he stated.
Mr Aboagye expressed appreciation to his legal team, the leadership of the NPP and all supporters who stood by him throughout his detention.
He reiterated his determination to lead the party’s Communications Directorate, declaring that he remained “ready to win” and committed to what he described as the party’s mission to “command the narrative.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
