Abu Trica’ Arrested in Cross-Border Sting: EOCO Denies Prior Contact
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has denied claims that it contacted alleged international romance fraud suspect Frederick Kumi, popularly known as “Abu Trica,” prior to his arrest, describing such reports as false. In a statement dated December 16, 2025, EOCO clarified that the arrest, carried out on December 11, followed earlier disclosures about a joint operation involving Ghanaian and U.S. law enforcement agencies. Kumi, a 31-year-old from Swedru, has been indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury for allegedly masterminding a sophisticated AI-driven romance fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of over eight million dollars, with charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. EOCO reaffirmed its commitment to combating economic and organised crime, noting that the case underscores strong cross-border collaboration under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative.
