Ghanaian National Extradited to U.S. to Face Accusations of Using Romance Fraud Schemes to Take $8+ Million from Elderly Victims

CLEVELAND - A 31-year-old Ghanaian National was extradited from the Republic of Ghana to face charges that involve defrauding more than 80 elderly victims out of more than $8 million.

According to court documents, Frederick Kumi, aka Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, aka Abu Trica, of Swedru, Ghana, and co-defendant Daniel Yussif, aka Denteni, aka Slab, 31, of Accra Ghana, were part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States since 2023. Kumi was arrested in Ghana Dec. 11, 2025, and extradited to the United States July 9.

Court records allege that from about April 2023 to November 2025, Kumi was part of a criminal network that devised romance fraud schemes to obtain money from elderly United States citizens. Kumi and Yussif acted as leaders of a group that used online dating sites and social media to identify and target their victims, who were often widows or divorcees. Kumi employed advanced techniques including AI-driven video platforms to engage with the victims under fictitious female personas. Others involved in the deception leveraged Ghanaian associates to communicate directly with victims via encrypted apps and by phone, to maintain the false identities used to facilitate the fraud. After being misled by false stories or gold or diamond inheritances, the victims sent money via wire transfer to financial accounts controlled by conspiracy members. Portions of the funds were further provided to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere. Kumi and other co-conspirators used money mules based in Ghana, and contacts in the Ghanaian immigrant community in the U.S., to launder millions of dollars through fake businesses and bank accounts.

Kumi allegedly used his ill-gotten gains to acquire luxury vehicles and other items of value. Assets seized by international law enforcement partners included a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, Tesla Cybertruck, Mercedes Benz, and BMW.

Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Additionally, his ill-gotten gains are subject to forfeiture. Kumi faces up to 20 years imprisonment.

If convicted, each defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including each defendant's prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison for the Northern District of Ohio.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio would like to acknowledge and thank the Ghana Attorney General's Office, EOCO - Ghana Economic Organized Crime Office, GPS - Ghana Police Service, Ghana Cyber Security Authority, NACOC - Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana National Intelligence Bureau, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Sensitive Investigation Unit, U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs, and FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra for their cooperation in securing the arrest and extradition from Ghana.

The investigation and prosecution are conducted under the Elder Justice Initiative Program, established by the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017 (EAPPA). The EAPPA and Elder Justice Initiative aims to coordinate and strengthen the Department of Justice's efforts to combat abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams targeting older adults.

To submit a report of suspected elder financial abuse, please visit tips.fbi.gov/home or justice.gov/elderjustice/financial-exploitation.

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the National Fraud Enforcement Division. This division investigates and prosecutes individuals who commit fraud against the American public. The Department's anti-fraud efforts support President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a government-wide initiative led by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.