A Ghanaian socialite is accused of orchestrating an AI romance scam that siphoned millions of dollars from elderly Americans.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio says Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with an international romance scam fueled by AI.
Prosecutors allege that Kumi, who has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, was part of a criminal network that used AI software to generate false identities and sustain emotionally intimate relationships with victims on social media and dating sites. The indictment says perpetrators posed as romantic partners, communicating frequently through phone calls, emails and messaging platforms to build trust before requesting money under false pretenses.
Those requests often involved fabricated emergencies, including medical crises, travel expenses, or supposed investment opportunities.
Victims, many of them elderly and isolated, were persuaded to transfer funds and valuables, which were subsequently routed through intermediaries and laundered to associates in Ghana and other locations, according to the indictment.
After funds were sent, prosecutors say Kumi coordinated with co-conspirators to distribute the proceeds across Ohio and other parts of the United States before moving the money overseas.
Authorities say the AI romance scam began in 2023 and drained more than $8 million from victims.
The Department of Justice emphasized that the indictment is only an allegation and that Kumi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
If convicted, Kumi faces up to 20 years in federal prison and forfeiture of proceeds linked to the alleged fraud.
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