US accuses Abu Trica of using AI to scam 80 elderly Americans out of $8million

United States prosecutors have charged Ghanaian social media influencer Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, with allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to operate a romance scam that defrauded more than 80 elderly Americans of over US$8 million.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio, Kumi allegedly created AI-generated fake identities and used them to target elderly victims on social media and online dating platforms between April 2023 and November 2025.

Prosecutors allege that Kumi, together with co-defendant Daniel Yussif, cultivated online romantic relationships with victims—many of them elderly widows and divorced individuals—before persuading them to send money under false pretences.

The indictment alleges that the victims were convinced to transfer funds for fictitious medical emergencies, travel costs and investment opportunities. Investigators say the money was routed through a network of co-conspirators before being distributed among members of the alleged fraud scheme.

U.S. authorities say the operation targeted more than 80 elderly Americans, with the total financial losses exceeding US$8 million. The case is being prosecuted under laws designed to protect older adults from financial exploitation.

Kumi has since been extradited from Ghana to the United States, where he is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. If convicted, he faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.