Ghanaian social media influencer Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has been extradited to the United States to face trial over allegations that he operated a romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of more than eight million dollars.
Kumi, who has denied the allegations, was flown to the U.S. on Thursday, July 9, where he faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Kumi allegedly used artificial intelligence tools to create fake online identities and targeted victims through social media platforms and online dating sites.
The prosecutors alleged that he built relationships with victims through frequent and intimate conversations before persuading them to send money or valuables under false pretences.
The alleged scams involved requests for funds for reasons including emergency medical expenses, travel costs and investment opportunities, prosecutors said.
They alleged that the proceeds were transferred to associates posing as third parties, with Kumi distributing funds among collaborators in the United States and Ghana.
Kumi’s lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, told the BBC that he had gone to court on Thursday seeking to stop the extradition before learning that his client had already been flown to the United States on a Delta Airlines flight.
The lawyer accused the Ghanaian government of bypassing judicial oversight by proceeding with the extradition before the court delivered its decision.
He said the action raised “profound constitutional questions” regarding due process.
However, Ghana’s government maintained that the law was followed.
Ghana’s Justice Minister and Attorney General, Dominic Ayine, said a court had earlier dismissed a habeas corpus application filed on behalf of Kumi, after which the Interior Ministry issued a surrender warrant.
“Last week the court dismissed the habeas corpus application as having no basis. So I had to proceed to apply for a surrender warrant from the Ministry of Interior, and the minister signed it on Wednesday, and we took him out on Thursday,” Ayine said.
Kumi, who hails from Swedru in southern Ghana, had gained popularity online and was known for displaying luxury items to his more than 100,000 Instagram followers.
His lifestyle reportedly attracted public attention over questions about his source of income before his arrest.
He was arrested during a joint Ghana-U.S. operation last year.
The case is being prosecuted under the U.S. Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act, as American authorities intensify efforts against transnational fraud networks targeting elderly citizens.
