A Ghanaian citizen, Frederick Kumi, also known by the names Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng or Abu Trica, faces 20 years’ imprisonment for allegedly defrauding elderly victims of over $8 million.

A federal grand jury recently returned a two-count indictment charging the Ghanaian—who was arrested in Ghana on 11 December 2025—with a romance scam, a Thursday press statement by the United States Department of Justice said.

The investigation that led to Mr Kumi’s indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cleveland Division, and he is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough for the Northern District of Ohio.

The investigation and prosecution of the case are in response to the Elder Justice Initiative Programme, originating from the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017 (EAPPA). The mission of the EAPPA and the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams targeting the nation’s elderly population.

Mr Kumi, aged 31, of Swedru, Ghana, was part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States since 2023, according to a recently unsealed indictment.

According to the indictment, perpetrators of this romance scam used Artificial Intelligence software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims. They gained victims’ trust to obtain money and valuables, often targeting individuals through social media and online dating platforms under false pretences.

The statement further revealed that the victims were often elderly people who engaged in romantic but physically distant relationships with the perpetrators.

“The perpetrators built trust through frequent, intimate conversations by phone, email, and messaging platforms. They then requested money or valuables under false pretenses, such as urgent medical needs, travel expenses, or investment opportunities,” the statement added.

Relying on these misrepresentations, the victims were persuaded to send funds or valuables, which were then directed to co-conspirators posing as third parties.

The indictment also alleges that after the victims transferred funds, Mr Kumi “worked with a network of co-conspirators to distribute the money from Ohio and across the United States to associates in the Republic of Ghana and other locations.”

Mr Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification, and faces up to 20 years in prison.

If convicted, his sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors unique to his case, including his prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.