One reason they have taken off in Ghana is that it has one of the highest internet penetration rates in Africa.
Sakawa boys are not just conspicuous consumers.
Some claim they also wield considerable influence.
The Ghanaian Times reports, external that a government minister complained that chiefs “condone and connive with such criminals” – referring to Sakawa boys.
Northern Region Minister Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru said he had received a death threat after issuing a directive to arrest some Sakawa boys.
The same minister also claimed, external some of the conmen had bribed a chief to rename his town either Galaxy City or La Palmas.
The negative effect of Sakawa boys’ cons is felt across the country.
Cybercrime contributed to Ghana being blacklisted for money-laundering by the international watchdog the global Financial Action Task Force in 2012. This dented the country’s international reputation as an investment destination.
The government says those who have been victims of Ghana’s conmen should lodge formal complaints but so far, there have been few convictions – partly because of the difficulty prosecuting this type of crime, with the victims living abroad.
David recognises that being a conman doesn’t help his own reputation either. But the money is too much of a lure for him to make a career change any time soon.
