The capture of Ghanaian cyber-fraud suspect Frederick Kumi, widely known as ‘Abu Trica’, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) marks a major win against transnational cybercrime.
However, the focus now shifts to the severe legal outcome awaiting the alleged kingpin, who faces a potential jail term of up to 20 years in the United States if convicted.
EOCO confirmed the high-profile arrest in a statement on Friday, December 12, 2025, detailing the collaborative operation that took down one of Ghana’s most notorious alleged scammers.
Extradition Looms: Maximum 20-Year Sentence
The suspect stands accused of orchestrating an elaborate $8 million romance scam that specifically targeted vulnerable elderly victims across the United States. Following his arrest on Thursday, December 11, the next step is his extradition to the US to stand trial.
The gravity of the alleged offences is underscored by the stringent penalties outlined by US law. EOCO’s statement explicitly detailed the maximum sentence awaiting the suspect:
“’Abu Trica’ will subsequently be extradited to the United States of America to face criminal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification. And faces up to 20 years in prison.”
If found guilty of the charges, the maximum 20-year sentence could potentially be applied to each count, highlighting the serious legal consequences for those involved in international financial fraud.
The Anatomy of the $8 Million Scam
The operation, described by EOCO as a major achievement, was the culmination of months of coordinated investigations involving the FBI, INTERPOL, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), and other critical Ghanaian agencies.
Investigators revealed that the syndicate utilised advanced AI tools to create highly convincing fake online identities.
These sophisticated digital fronts were used to emotionally manipulate elderly victims, luring them into “romantic” relationships before defrauding them of money, property, and other valuables.
The focus on AI tools indicates a new, more advanced era of cybercrime that leverages technology for emotional exploitation.
EOCO hailed the successful collaboration with its international and local partners, emphasising the importance of a united front in prosecuting complex transnational crimes.
“EOCO wishes to congratulate its local sister agencies as well as the FBI for their collaboration,” the statement added.
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