Twenty-seven-year-old Ghanaian, Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has filed a lawsuit at the High Court against the Government of Ghana and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over an alleged cyber fraud-related arrest.

Mr Kumi is accusing the state and the foreign agency of subjecting him to torture, unlawful detention and violations of his fundamental human rights.

In an application filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, Kumi is demanding GH₵10 million as compensation. He claims he was subjected to what he described as a coordinated act of "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment" after his arrest on December 11, 2025.

The suit lists the Minister for Interior, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the FBI, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Attorney-General as respondents.

Kumi alleges that his arrest and detention involved physical assault, forced interrogations by foreign officers, and the unlawful seizure of his belongings.

Court documents indicate that his legal team claims more than 15 armed officers allegedly raided his apartment at the Airport Residential Area while he was playing video games with friends.

Kumi contends that he was immediately placed in handcuffs and kept restrained from morning until evening without being provided food, water, or rest.

A key aspect of his claims centres on the alleged involvement of the FBI.

He alleges that while in the custody of Ghanaian security agencies, he was interrogated by three foreign nationals introduced as FBI agents.

Kumi further claims the officers allegedly compelled him to sign documents he could not read due to limited literacy and threatened to associate him with fraudulent transactions amounting to $8 million if he refused to provide passwords to his mobile phones.

"The decision and conduct of officers of the 2nd Respondent in permitting agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation... to interrogate the Applicant without access to Counsel, was unlawful and in violation of Articles 14 and 19 of the 1992 Constitution," the motion states.

Kumi also alleges that officers from NACOC and EOCO conducted searches at his residence in Swedru, known as "Abu Trica’s Mansion," while he remained in detention.

He claims the officers seized several luxury items and electronic gadgets, including vehicles such as a Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, and Cybertruck.

The applicant further alleges that several electronic devices, including multiple iPhones ranging from model 7 to 15 Pro, MacBooks, an Alienware laptop, a PlayStation 5 console, and a Starlink Wi-Fi modem, were taken.

He also claims personal items, including Cartier watches, jewellery and silver chains, were confiscated during the operation.

Kumi alleges that some of the items seized belonged to his friends and that officers failed to provide any inventory list or receipt for the confiscated properties.

He is also accusing EOCO of breaching his presumption of innocence after describing him as a "notorious cyber-criminal" in an official publication before any court ruling.

Apart from seeking GH₵10 million in damages, Kumi is requesting additional reliefs from the court.

He is seeking an order to prevent the use of any information or items obtained through what he describes as coercive interrogations and unauthorised searches in future legal proceedings.

He is also asking the court to issue an interlocutory injunction to stop the state from extraditing or deporting him to any foreign country until the case is determined.

Additionally, he is seeking an order to restrain the FBI and its agents from conducting investigations or interrogations involving him within Ghana.

The case is expected to be heard at the Human Rights High Court in February 2026.

The outcome of the case is anticipated to influence the scope of operations of foreign law enforcement agencies in Ghana and reinforce safeguards for citizens involved in cybercrime investigations.

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Abu Trica was initially arrested by Ghanaian security agencies on Thursday, December 11, 2025, following an indictment by United States authorities over his alleged role in a large-scale online romance scam estimated at more than $8 million.

Unsealed documents from the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio allege that he was part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims across the United States beginning in 2023.

Prosecutors say the group relied on artificial intelligence software to create fake identities and establish intimate online relationships with senior citizens through social media and dating platforms. Victims were then allegedly deceived into sending money and valuables under false pretences, including claims of medical emergencies, travel costs, and investment opportunities.

The indictment further alleges that Abu Trica assisted in distributing funds transferred from Ohio to conspirators in Ghana and other locations. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and a forfeiture specification.

Months ago, a secret FBI operation also led to the arrest of Ghana’s nightlife mogul and alleged crypto kingpin, Nana Kojo Boateng, popularly known as Dada Joe Remix, with possible extradition to the United States of America (U.S.A).

Sources said he was “scooped up Rambo-style,” over his alleged involvement in fraudulent financial activities.

Even though people have known him as a big player in the oil and gas business, rumors have it that he might have been involved in shady activities behind the scenes.

Panic has reportedly gripped Accra’s elite social circles since the news broke.

Some prominent figures allegedly involved in cryptocurrency, forex trading, and high-end real estate have also allegedly gone into hiding.

Dada Joe Remix could stand trial and face significant legal consequences if convicted.

Official details regarding his arrest and the nature of the charges are yet to be released.

It will be recalled that in 2022, the Nigerian social media influencer, Ramon Abbas, who called himself Ray Hushpuppi and flaunted a lavish lifestyle supported by laundering millions of dollars was sentenced in Los Angeles to more than 11 years in federal prison.

Ramon Abbas, 40, was also ordered by a federal judge to pay $1.7m in restitution to two fraud victims, according to a statement from the United States Department of Justice.Abbas was “one of the most prolific money launderers in the world,” Don Alway, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, said in the statement.

Prosecutors said Abbas and a Canadian man laundered money from various online crimes, including bank cyberheists and business email compromise, or BEC, a prolific crime in which crooks hack into email accounts, pretend to be someone they’re not, and fool victims into wiring money where it doesn’t belong.

Abbas had more than two million Instagram followers before he was arrested in 2020 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

His social media posts showed him living a life of luxury, complete with private jets, ultra-expensive cars, and high-end clothes and watches.

“I hope someday I will be inspiring more young people to join me on this path,” read one Instagram post by Abbas, who pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering.

In the aftermath of recent FBI-led operations in Ghana involving suspected fraud, entertainment pundit Kwaku Osei Korankye Asiedu, popularly known as KOKA, has pushed for an inquiry into Criss Waddle's source of wealth.

His concerns come on the back of Criss Waddle's frequent display of large sums of money and luxurious vehicles on social media.

In an interview spotted by The Independent Ghana on social media, KOKA intimated that since the musician criticized Akufo-Addo's government over economic hardship, it is appropriate to investigate the legitimacy of his wealth too.

"I am looking for the FBI to ask them to commerce an investigation on Criss Waddle because his source of revenue is questionable to me."

"Lately, when our girls are celebrating their birthday, you will see them posting their wish list on Snapchat because they don't want to fry eggs anymore since there are people buying cars for them.”

"The FBI should look for him, and also look for all the cars he has shipped into the country...Those who claim that they bought their Rolls-Royce from Acheke should also be investigated," he added.

Entertainment pundit Kwaku Osei Korankye Asiedu, popularly known as KOKA, has pushed for an inquiry into Criss Waddle's source of wealth.

His concerns come on the back of Criss Waddle's frequent display of large sums of money and luxurious vehicles on social media.

In an interview spotted by The Independent Ghana on social media, KOKA intimated that since the musician criticized Akufo-Addo's government over economic hardship, it is appropriate to investigate the legitimacy of his wealth too.

"I am looking for the FBI to ask them to commerce an investigation on Criss Waddle because his source of revenue is questionable to me."

"Lately, when our girls are celebrating their birthday, you will see them posting their wish list on Snapchat because they don't want to fry eggs anymore since there are people buying cars for them.”

"The FBI should look for him, and also look for all the cars he has shipped into the country...Those who claim that they bought their Rolls-Royce from Acheke should also be investigated," he added.