The Gbese District Court has discharged Frederick Kumi, aka Abu Trica, along with two other suspects, in connection with an alleged $8 million romance scam targeting elderly victims in the United States.
The development was confirmed by the suspects’ lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who said in a post on Facebook that National Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) officers attempted to rearrest the men inside the courtroom immediately after the discharge. He described the incident as a disruption that offended the presiding judge.
“Just finished at the Gbese District Court. Abu Trica and two others have been discharged. NACOC just tried to rearrest them inside the courtroom. Judge offended,” Mr. Barker-Vormawor wrote.
The suspects had previously been arrested following charges of cybercrime and money laundering linked to an alleged scheme in which elderly victims were defrauded of more than $8 million.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, Kumi, 31, of Swedru, Ghana, is alleged to have been part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States since 2023. The network reportedly used artificial intelligence to assume false identities, forming close personal relationships with victims to gain their trust and request money under false pretenses.
Victims were typically elderly and engaged in long-distance romantic relationships with the perpetrators, who then requested funds for supposed urgent medical needs, travel expenses, or investment opportunities. Transferred funds were allegedly distributed through a network of co-conspirators, including associates in Ghana.
The indictment charges Kumi with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and includes a forfeiture specification. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough. The U.S. authorities acknowledged the cooperation of Ghanaian agencies, including the Attorney General’s Office, EOCO, GPS, NACOC, the Ghana Cyber Security Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com
