US alleges Abu Trica used AI in $8m romance scam targeting elderly Americans

United States prosecutors have accused a Ghanaian man of using artificial intelligence to transform online romance scams into a sophisticated multimillion-dollar criminal enterprise, alleging that more than 80 elderly Americans were manipulated into handing over their life savings through fake online relationships.

The suspect, Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, was extradited from Ghana to the United States last week to face federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio, prosecutors allege that Kumi was among the leaders of an international fraud network that operated between April 2023 and November 2025, targeting elderly widows and divorced women searching for companionship on online dating platforms and social media.

Investigators say the operation exploited not only loneliness but also cutting-edge technology.

In what prosecutors describe as a significant evolution in online fraud, Kumi allegedly used artificial intelligence-powered video technology to impersonate fictitious women, creating highly convincing online identities that persuaded victims they were engaged in genuine romantic relationships.

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that AI-generated videos were combined with encrypted messaging applications, telephone conversations and carefully crafted social media profiles to sustain the deception over long periods, making it increasingly difficult for victims to distinguish reality from fiction.

Once trust had been established, prosecutors say victims were persuaded to transfer money to help resolve fabricated crises, including false claims involving gold and diamond inheritances that supposedly required urgent financial assistance before fortunes could be released.

According to court documents, the money was allegedly deposited into bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy before being distributed to accomplices in Ghana and several other countries.

Federal investigators further allege that the network relied on money mules in Ghana and members of the Ghanaian diaspora in the United States to launder millions of dollars through shell companies and multiple financial accounts.

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that the alleged scheme generated more than $8 million from over 80 elderly victims, making it one of the more significant AI-assisted romance fraud cases brought before a U.S. federal court.

Authorities also allege that proceeds from the fraud financed a lavish lifestyle.

Law enforcement officials say they have seized assets allegedly linked to the scheme, including a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW. Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of the assets, arguing they were purchased with proceeds from the alleged fraud.

Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11 2025 before being extradited to the United States on July 9 2026.

He has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment on each count, although any sentence would be determined by the court.

The case highlights growing concerns among law enforcement agencies worldwide that artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping cybercrime. Security experts have warned that AI-generated videos, voices and digital identities are making online scams increasingly convincing, allowing fraudsters to exploit victims with unprecedented sophistication.

The allegations against Kumi have not been proven in court. Under the U.S. legal system, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.