Ghanaian social media influencer Frederick Kumi, widely known online as Abu Trica, has been extradited to the United States to face trial over allegations that he orchestrated a romance scam defrauding elderly Americans of more than $8 million (£5.9 million). Kumi, who denies all charges, was flown to the US on Thursday. If convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Extradition controversy in Ghana
Kumi’s lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, told the BBC that he went to court on Thursday to stop the extradition, only to discover that his client had already been placed on a Delta Airlines flight. He accused Ghana’s government of bypassing “judicial oversight” and argued that the decision “raises profound constitutional questions.” The Ghanaian government has yet to comment on the matter.
AI tools and romance scam allegations
US prosecutors allege that Kumi used artificial intelligence tools to create fake online identities. Victims were reportedly targeted through social media and dating platforms, where Kumi allegedly built trust through frequent conversations. These interactions would escalate into “requests for money or valuables under false pretences — such as urgent medical needs, travel expenses or investment opportunities.” Funds were then funnelled to co-conspirators in both Ghana and the US.
Lifestyle and suspicion
Kumi, originally from Swedru in southern Ghana, had long flaunted luxury items to his more than 100,000 Instagram followers. This display of wealth raised suspicions about the source of his income. He was arrested last year in a joint Ghana-US operation. There is some dispute about his age, with his lawyer claiming he is 28, while US prosecutors say he is 31.
Crackdown on West African fraud networks
The case is being prosecuted under the US Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution law, part of a wider crackdown on fraud networks targeting elderly Americans. Last week, another Ghanaian fraudster, Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng — known as Dada Joe Remix — pleaded guilty in the US to romance and inheritance scams. In December, Nigerian ringleader Oluwaseun Adekoya was sentenced to 20 years in prison for laundering over $2 million through nationwide bank fraud schemes.
Court approves extradition of Nigerian to US
In a related development, a federal high court in Lagos has ordered the extradition of Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun to the United States over alleged money laundering and wire fraud. Presiding Judge Akintayo Aluko gave the directive after an extradition application filed by Kehinde Fagbemi, a legal practitioner from the federal ministry of justice. Aluko ruled that the federal government submitted sufficient evidence to prove that Abiodun has a case to answer in the US.
