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The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed the arrest of Frederick Kumi, widely known as Abu Trica, a suspected mastermind behind a massive $8 million romance scam targeting elderly U.S. citizens.
EOCO announced the arrest in a statement on Friday, December 12, 2025, revealing that the operation took place on Thursday, December 11, following months of coordinated investigations involving multiple agencies, including the FBI, INTERPOL, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), and the Office of the Attorney General.
Investigators say Abu Trica led a highly organised syndicate that employed advanced AI tools to fabricate online identities. These fake profiles were then used to engage victims in romantic conversations, ultimately deceiving them into sending money and valuables.
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The scheme reportedly targeted elderly individuals in the United States, defrauding them of a total of $8 million, according to EOCO.
Abu Trica is slated for extradition to the United States to face serious criminal charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
- Money laundering conspiracy
- Forfeiture specification
He faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
“EOCO wishes to congratulate its local sister agencies as well as the FBI for their collaboration,” the statement added, describing the arrest as a major achievement in Ghana’s ongoing fight against transnational cybercrime.
The apprehension of Abu Trica highlights Ghana’s growing capacity to combat sophisticated cybercrime networks operating across borders. Authorities stressed that the operation is part of a broader effort to protect citizens abroad and at home from digitally enabled fraud and to disrupt syndicates exploiting technological tools for illicit gain.
EOCO’s statement reiterated its commitment to strengthening international partnerships to tackle cybercrime and safeguard financial and personal security in the digital age.
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