The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has announced the capture of Frederick Kumi, widely known as 'Abu Trica', a notorious cybercrime suspect. Arrested on Thursday, December 11, following months of intelligence-led investigations, Abu Trica is accused of orchestrating an elaborate $8 million international romance scam that primarily targeted vulnerable elderly American victims. The announcement was made in a news release by EOCO on Friday, December 12, 2025, detailing a significant victory against transnational cybercrime.

According to EOCO, Abu Trica was a key part of a criminal network that preyed on elderly individuals across the United States starting from 2023. This syndicate employed advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to craft highly convincing false online identities and profiles. These sophisticated digital fronts were then used to establish close personal relationships with victims, emotionally manipulating them through social media and online dating platforms. Once trust was gained, the perpetrators defrauded these victims of large sums of money, property, and other valuables, exploiting their emotional vulnerabilities under false pretenses.

The successful operation to apprehend 'Abu Trica' was the culmination of extensive collaborative efforts involving numerous local and international law enforcement agencies. EOCO worked in conjunction with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), INTERPOL, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), and the Office of the Attorney-General. This coordinated approach underscored the complexity and transnational nature of the criminal enterprise.

Following his arrest, the focus now shifts to the severe legal ramifications awaiting Abu Trica. EOCO has confirmed that he will be extradited to the United States to face a range of serious criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification. These alleged offenses carry stringent penalties under US law, with a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years for each count if he is found guilty, highlighting the grave consequences for involvement in international financial fraud.

EOCO has lauded the successful collaboration with its partner agencies, both local and international, for their crucial support in bringing this high-profile suspect to justice. This capture serves as a significant milestone in combating the evolving landscape of cybercrime, particularly those leveraging advanced technologies like AI for exploitation.