Frederick Kumi – frequently referred to by the aliases Abu Trica and Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng – along with two associates, has been ordered to remain in custody after a bail request was rejected by the Gbese District Court in Accra.
The suspects are currently facing severe allegations of money laundering and cybercrime. These charges stem from a collaborative investigation between Ghanaian security forces and United States authorities, who have linked the group to a sophisticated criminal operation that reportedly targeted elderly Americans, resulting in losses exceeding US$8 million.
The legal proceedings, which unfolded on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, saw the suspects appear before the court under heavy security. The prosecution alleges that since 2023, Kumi led a network that employed deceptive online romance schemes to exploit vulnerable individuals across the U.S. Northern District of Ohio. These activities included identity theft and a series of illicit financial transactions designed to funnel defrauded funds through various global accounts.
As the suspects remain in Ghanaian custody, the case has been adjourned until January 13, 2026. This additional time will allow authorities to finalize the evidence required for the next phase of the trial and coordinate the formal extradition of Abu Trica and his co-defendants to the United States. If convicted in the U.S., the suspects could face up to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.