A 31-year-old Ghanaian national, Frederick Kumi, was extradited from the Republic of Ghana to Cleveland on July 9 to face charges of defrauding more than 80 elderly victims out of over $8 million through romance scams.
According to court documents, Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng and Abu Trica, along with co-defendant Daniel Yussif of Accra, Ghana, allegedly led a criminal network that targeted elderly United States citizens via online dating sites and social media since April 2023. The group reportedly used AI-driven video platforms and fictitious female personas to engage with victims—often widows or divorcees—and convinced them to send money by fabricating stories about gold or diamond inheritances. Funds were transferred via wire into accounts controlled by the conspiracy members and laundered through fake businesses and bank accounts using money mules in both Ghana and the United States.
Kumi is accused of using proceeds from these schemes to purchase luxury vehicles and property. International law enforcement partners seized assets including a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, Tesla Cybertruck, Mercedes Benz, and BMW. Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy; if convicted he faces up to 20 years imprisonment. “An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” according to court records.
The FBI Cleveland Division led the investigation with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison for the Northern District of Ohio. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio acknowledged cooperation from multiple agencies including the Ghana Attorney General’s Office, EOCO – Ghana Economic Organized Crime Office, GPS – Ghana Police Service, Ghana Cyber Security Authority, NACOC – Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Sensitive Investigation Unit, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra.
The case falls under the Elder Justice Initiative Program established by the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017 (EAPPA), which aims “to coordinate and strengthen efforts…to combat abuse…and scams targeting older adults.” Reports of suspected elder financial abuse can be submitted at tips.fbi.gov/home or justice.gov/elderjustice/financial-exploitation.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio serves as chief federal law enforcement officer for its district under the Department of Justice; it covers forty northern counties in Ohio while promoting community safety through outreach programs with schools and law enforcement agencies, according to its official website.