Ghanaian social media influencer Abu Trica, whose real name is Frederick Kumi, has been extradited to the United States to stand trial over allegations that he masterminded a romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of more than $8 million (£5.9 million).
Kumi has denied all the charges against him.
According to US prosecutors, he allegedly used artificial intelligence tools to create fake online identities, targeting victims through social media and online dating platforms before gaining their trust and persuading them to part with money.
The influencer was flown to the United States on Thursday and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
His lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, said he had gone to court on Thursday in an attempt to halt the extradition, only to discover that Kumi had already been placed on a Delta Airlines flight to the United States.
