The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has refuted claims of having any prior contact with suspected romance fraud suspect Frederick Kumi, widely known as “Abu Trica”, before he was arrested.
A statement issued by EOCO explained that it did not contact the suspect before he was arrested.
The statement issued on December 16, 2025, said, “EOCO wishes to inform its stakeholders and the general public that the Office did not on any occasion contact ‘Abu Trica’ before the arrest, as is being speculated.”
Frederick Kumi was arrested in Ghana on Thursday, December 11, 2025, following a joint operation involving multiple Ghanaian and United States law enforcement agencies.
An unsealed indictment has alleged that Abu Trica, 31, of Swedru, Ghana, was part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States since 2023. Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025.
According to the United States government, the suspect and his network have since 2023 used artificial intelligence to create fake identities on social media and dating platforms to form intimate, long-distance relationships with victims.
After gaining the trust of their victims, they obtain money from them, especially using social media and online dating platforms, under false pretences.
Their victims were often elderly and engaged in romantic but physically distant relationships.
The perpetrators built trust through frequent, intimate conversations by phone, email, and messaging platforms.
They then requested money or valuables under false pretences, such as urgent medical needs, travel expenses, or investment opportunities.
Abu Trica and his accomplices, after receiving the money, distributed the money from Ohio and across the United States to associates in the Republic of Ghana and other locations.
He has been formally charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification and faces up to 20 years in prison.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
