$8m Romance Scam: Abu Trica Pleads Not Guilty In US

 Abu Trica

 

Ghanaian socialite, Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and another count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in a United States District Court following, accusation of using fraudulent means to swindle about $8 million from elderly Americans.

Abu Trica was extradited to the United States last Thursday after his multiple legal challenges against the extradition failed.

There was an emergency application to halt the grant of the extradition request as well as a notice of appeal against the High Court decision which granted the extradition at the time he was flown out of the country.

Abu Trica is accused of conspiring with one Daniel Yussif and others to operate an alleged fraud scheme that used artificial intelligence tools to create fake identities, establish relationships with victims and solicit money under false pretences.

Information available indicates that Abu Trica has opted for a jury trial and a Northern District Court of Ohia presided over by Judge John R. Adams, has set August 25, 2026, for pre-trial while jury trial commences on September 8, 2026.

Court documents indicate that any plea negotiation must be completed before the pre-trial date.

“Accordingly, the court will not accept plea agreements after the pretrial,” the document also stated.

The documents further pointed out that the trial will begin at 9am and continue until 4:30pm, “unless circumstances dictate otherwise.”

Stipulation of Facts

The trial court has also directed lawyers in the matter to confer with one another in order to prepare written stipulations as to all uncontested facts to be presented at trial to the jury or to the Court, as the case way be.

“Stipulations of fact are strongly encouraged in order to eliminate the need for testimony of witnesses to facts which are not in dispute. Said stipulations shall be signed by both counsel as well as the defendant and filed with the Court no later than three (3) business days prior to the trial date,” the court ordered.

Abu Trica’s Lawyer

Abu Trica, according to reports is being represented by Henry Hilow, a veteran Ohio criminal defence attorney.

Mr. Hilow, is said to have decades of courtroom experience and previously served as an assistant county prosecutor for 11 years.

Further reports suggest that Mr. Hilow declined to make any official public statement on the case but said the defence team was looking forward to reviewing the evidence the prosecution is required to provide during the discovery process.

Extradition

Abu Trica was flown out of the country on July 9, 2026, aboard Delta Airlines flight DL 157, bringing an end to the numerous legal challenges mounted by his lawyers against the extradition process.

He has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and faces up to 20 years in prison, according to the US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio.

According to recently unsealed indictment, Kumi is accused of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims, through social media and online dating platforms, and gain their trust before extorting them of their money and valuables.

A High Court in Accra, on July 2, 2026 affirmed the extradition of Abu Trica to the United States to face trial.

This followed the decision of the court to dismiss an application filed by his lawyers challenging the decision of the Gbese District Court which had earlier granted a request by the Attorney General to extradite him to the US for the alleged crimes.

His lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor confirmed the development on Facebook, describing it as a fast-tracked process and hinted going all the way to the Supreme Court to appeal the decision.

“I am out of Ghana for work. I just heard that the case of Abu Trica has been fast tracked and a judge has just ordered his extradition. Hmmm. FBI 1 – Abu 1. I guess this issue goes to the Supreme Court,” the lawyer wrote.

The lawyers subsequently filed an application seeking to halt the extraction pending the determination of an appeal against the order.

BY Gibril Abdul Razak

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