For several years, Frederick Kumi projected a version of success that was instantly recognisable to social media audiences in Ghana and beyond. Under the online name Abu Trica, he built a following around images of fast cars, thick bundles of cash, designer fashion and an apparently untroubled life of excess.
That persona has now collided with a far more serious public identity. Mr Kumi, a 31-year-old Ghanaian from Swedru in the Central Region, has been indicted in the United States over allegations that he played a role in an international romance-scam operation that targeted elderly victims.
Abu Trica’s rise was rooted in visual storytelling rather than explanation. He rarely spoke in detail about his background or business interests. Instead, his social media feeds relied on spectacle: luxury vehicles parked in private compounds, cash spread across tables, and short captions that hinted at financial freedom.
Much of his popularity was driven by Snapchat, a platform where fleeting images can create intimacy and urgency. From there, his presence spilled onto other platforms, helping him build a sizable and engaged audience. Among followers, he was often cited as proof that young Ghanaians could “make it” quickly, especially in the digital age.
That appeal mattered. In a society where economic pressures are intense and visible wealth is often equated with intelligence or hustle, Abu Trica’s online image functioned as aspiration, motivation and, for some, validation.
US prosecutors allege that Mr Kumi operated using multiple names, including Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, alongside his Abu Trica alias. Investigators say this was part of a broader effort to manage different personas across online and financial spaces.
To followers, however, the influencer appeared singular and consistent. The Abu Trica brand was confident, generous with displays of money, and unbothered by scrutiny. That coherence helped shield the person behind it from deeper questioning.
According to US court filings, Mr Kumi is accused of involvement in a romance-fraud network that allegedly defrauded victims of millions of dollars. Prosecutors say the scheme involved building emotional relationships online, often over long periods, and then persuading victims to send money under false pretences.
The indictment also alleges the use of technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support fake identities and sustain conversations with victims.
Mr Kumi was arrested in Ghana following cooperation between Ghanaian and US authorities. He is expected to face extradition proceedings, though he has not yet appeared before a US court. As with all criminal cases, the allegations remain unproven until tested in court.
What makes the case particularly striking is the gap between performance and prosecution. Abu Trica’s online identity rested on confidence, abundance and control. The criminal case paints a picture of deception, coordination and hidden structures operating behind the scenes.
For many observers in Ghana, the profile of Frederick Kumi has become a cautionary tale about digital fame without transparency, and about how easily wealth can be performed online without accountability.
Whether the allegations hold up in court remains to be seen. But the Abu Trica persona, once defined by spectacle and admiration, is now inseparable from questions about trust, image and the darker uses of the internet economy.
