Ghanaian socialite Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has had his alleged luxury assets seized by United States authorities following his extradition to face charges linked to an $8 million romance scam.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) said properties and valuables allegedly acquired with proceeds from the suspected fraud have been taken into custody as Kumi prepares to face trial.
In a statement released on July 14, 2026, the DOJ alleged that Kumi used money obtained through the scheme to purchase high-value assets in Ghana, including a mansion and several luxury vehicles.
Among the seized items are a Lamborghini, Tesla Cybertruck, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and other valuables whose details were not disclosed.
“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,” portions of the statement read.
The DOJ said the assets are now subject to forfeiture after Kumi was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. If convicted, the offences could attract a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Details of the alleged romance scam
Court documents cited by US authorities accuse Kumi and his co-defendant, Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni or Slab, 31, of Accra, Ghana, of being part of a criminal network that allegedly defrauded elderly victims in romance scams across the United States beginning in 2023.
Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, before he was extradited to the United States on July 9, 2026, to face the charges.
Prosecutors allege that Kumi and Yussif operated a group that used online dating platforms and social media to identify victims, particularly widows and divorcees, before building false romantic relationships with them to obtain money through deception.
The documents further allege that members of the network used AI-powered video platforms to communicate with victims while hiding their real identities and, in some cases, pretending to be women.
Other alleged members of the group reportedly relied on associates in Ghana to communicate with victims through encrypted messaging applications and phone calls to maintain the fake identities used in the scheme.
“After being misled by false stories of 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,” the statement said.
“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,” the statement added.
The Department of Justice said that if Abu Trica and his alleged co-conspirators are convicted, sentencing decisions will be made by the court after considering factors unique to each defendant.
These factors include any previous criminal history, their alleged involvement in the offences, and the seriousness of the violations.
The DOJ added that any sentence imposed cannot exceed the maximum penalty provided by law and that, in many cases, the final punishment may be lower than the statutory maximum.
