The rise of 419 in Ghana

By Dr. Kwadwo Mante

mantea1@gmail.com

Growing up in Ghana, there were certain fraudulent activities that were known to be committed by some people from the other side of the border. After they were international exposed as a nation of scammers, these people have shifted their well coordinated operations to cafes and internet kiosks in Accra and other towns. These people have taken advantage of our Ghanaian hospitality to dupe all kinds of foreigners from the heart of the capital. For those of you who don’t know, the term 419 is derived from section of the Nigerian penal code which addresses fraud schemes: it has been around since the early 1980's.

According to Fraud Watch, the 419 scams use the following tactics: An “individual or company receives a letter, fax or email from an alleged official representing a foreign government or agency; An offer is made to transfer millions of dollars in “over invoiced contract” funds into your personal bank account;

You are encouraged to travel overseas to complete the transaction; You are requested to provide blank company letterhead forms, banking account information and telephone/fax numbers; You receive numerous documents with official looking stamps, seals and logos testifying to the authenticity of the proposal; Eventually you must provide up front or advance fees for various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees or bribes”. Other forms of “ 419 schemes include: C.O.D. of goods or services, real estate ventures, purchases of crude oil at reduced prices, beneficiary of a will, recipient of an award and paper currency conversion”.

Various reports I have read about 419 schemes shows that Ghana is gradually becoming a 419 location. This is because these scammers have relocated to our country to set up their shops right in the heart of the capital. On one of my recent trips to Ghana, I met this guy from this part of the world in a café who literally sleeps in the there. I can bet my last dollar that he was not learning how to master a new programming language but rather spending time to dupe his unsuspecting victims. These certified scammers have used their ill gotten wealth to secure prime real estates in Ghana, built some businesses and brazenly enjoy the best of the best of our sisters back home. As a nation we must decide what we want to do: Either we sit down and allow these people to destroy the image of Ghana, or we can tackle this growing phenomenon ruthlessly.

As for me. I am innately sceptical to do business with these people from that part of the world. Ethically I know you cant broad-brush all these people as certified scammers, but in my book if you are from that country, you are genetically programmed to be a scammer. Sadly this 419 spirit is creeping into some of the charismatic churches in Ghana. These men of God from that part of the world are using all kinds of manipulative tactics to fleece the flock they lead and enrich themselves. They promise all kinds of miracles but produce none. Any way, that is another topic for discussion. I have a plane to catch folks. This is my two cents. Over to you Joe lartey.What do you think?

***Dr. Kwadwo Mante is freshly minted PhD. He is a Corporate Finance and Public Health expert based in the US. He can be reached at mantea1@gmail.com.