Using Ghana (Customs-CEPS) For Internet Fraud, Scam And 419 (Connections)

Ghana is (a poor country although it ) rich in natural resources, one of the most important is gold. With an inflation rate of almost 20 percent and an unemployment rate of about 12 percent it is difficult to survive there. This makes Ghana one of the poorest countries in the world, almost half the population has per capital equivalent of less than 1 U.S. dollar a day.

Since fraudulent emails are not punishable in Ghana some people in Ghana including foreigners in the country have found a way to ensure their survival through the Internet scam or Rip-mail deals, judiciary called the criminal action in the jargon.
A high-tech security company from Germany had the great idea to specify the identity of a so-called American general in Iraq. Their fluent English and good knowledge in Internet security, helped them to fish out the so-called American general in Iraq as incompetent partner.

He pretended to be interested in the services and products offered by the German company. At the same time, he involved his listeners in an ongoing email exchange. He sent pictures and descriptions of places and then wanted to make orders from the German company after his stay in Iraq to clarify in Europe, so he prepared a meeting with the German Company.

The contact broke off after a short time, and the "U.S. General" later gave flimsy excuses that he had just returned from a mission in which a senior Iraqi politicians could be freed. He would receive an award along with his colleagues and was therefore the next few days because of the religious ceremony indispensable.

Nevertheless, there was a new contact, this time within hours. The "General" says that these politicians came from a wealthy family of the oil dynasty, and that his family would be sure to send the honourable soldiers a financial recognition of not less than one million Euro. Even though he is the general, he is very worried because he could not possibly walk around with a million dollars in his luggage. He then asked if the German security company could help, If yes! then he, the U.S. General would send a diplomatic attaché, who would bring the money in a sealed case to Germany, where they should keep it safe for him.

Because the German security company were professionals and not dreamers, the so-called General had made it clear to them (through his 419 excuses) that his deal was a fraud and therefore blown.

The authentic images and tricks he used were stolen from the Internet. It works like that one acquires the confidence of victims and then claimed they were the only ones who could help by asking to keep money. The bearer has a sudden problem, the flight is supposedly diverted to Ghana, and corrupt customs(CEPS)officials in Ghana must be bribed before he can be free. This was to the sacrifice that is supposed to receive the money suitcase with the million Euro. Some few thousand of Euros must therefore be sent in advance to bribe the Ghana Customs(CEPS) so that he could free himself from the predicament.
Up to 30 percent of all these scams are successful, from few Euros to tens of thousands of Euros. The Internet offers the best space for lies and deception.

In the case of another business woman Mrs. P. someone introduced a highly lucrative business to her through the internet and the person was said to be a potential partner from USA. He was the financial administrator of a large corporation and would like to discuss the possibilities of cooperation.

A routine control revealed that the so-called business partner with a lucrative business from the USA was known in connection with Nigeria and Ghana-Connection e-mails.The businesswoman Mrs. P suspected fraud and turned to Internet specialists to check the genuineness of the bearer of the e-mail address > mailcheck@pictra.es to clarify if the contact was a fake.

Although the name appeared in various scam mails, from Nigeria and Ghana, the business woman had luck. The review revealed that although the name of the business partner in USA had been misused, they are the real and serious business partners. The suspected gamble paid off, as always, exceptions prove the rule again, and even if the contact should have been irresponsible, Mrs. P. could have protected any investment against a much bigger loss.

FRANCIS TAWIAH (Duisburg - Germany)