Ghanaian influencer extradited to US over $8m scam targeting elderly Americans
East Africa News
A Ghanaian social media influencer known as Abu Trica, whose real name is Frederick Kumi, has been extradited to the US to face trial for allegedly running a romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of over $8m (£5.9m).
He denies all the charges against him.
Prosecutors said he used AI tools to create fake online identities, targeting victims through social media and dating sites, earning their trust then extorting their money.
Regional Impact
Kumi was flown to the US on Thursday and faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
Kumi’s lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, told the BBC he went to court on Thursday to stop the extradition before learning a short while later that Kumi had in fact already been extradited on board a Delta Airlines flight.
Barker-Vormawor accuses the Ghananian government of sidestepping “judicial oversight” by allegedly not waiting for the court’s verdict, and says their decision to extradite Kumi “raises profound constitutional questions”.
Analysis
But Ghana’s government says the law was followed and disputes the lawyer’s timeline of events.
“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 [Wednesday] and we took him out [Thursday]. So what due process is he talking about?” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Dominic Ayeni.
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