Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has appeared before the Gbese District Court in Accra as part of ongoing proceedings to extradite him to the United States, where he faces charges related to an alleged US$8 million international romance fraud scheme.
The 34-year-old appeared in court on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, under heavy security.
Abu Trica is accused of masterminding a sophisticated cybercrime operation that targeted elderly Americans through romance scams. According to prosecutors, the network defrauded victims of more than US$8 million.
He was arrested on December 11, 2025, in a joint operation involving Ghanaian law enforcement agencies and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), following months of intelligence-led investigations into a transnational cybercrime syndicate.
Abu Trica was arrested alongside two other suspects, who also appeared before the court. All three were denied bail and remanded into custody after the court cited the seriousness of the charges and the risk of flight.
US authorities have indicted the suspects on charges including cybercrime, money laundering, identity theft, and illegal financial transactions. Investigators say their operations targeted individuals and businesses, causing significant financial losses.
During the hearing, the prosecution disclosed that the suspects allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create fake online identities on social media and dating platforms. These AI-generated profiles reportedly featured realistic images, detailed personal histories, and convincing personas designed to deceive unsuspecting victims.
The case has been adjourned to January 13, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to present additional evidence as extradition processes continue.
Abu Trica and his alleged associates remain in custody pending further proceedings and possible extradition to the United States.