A SCARS Institute History and Operations of Ghana’s Juju Ritual ‘Sakawa Boys’ and their Scam Victims

Sakawa Boys (also known as ‘Cafe Boys’ at one point) are internet fraudsters in Ghana who are involved in cybercrime, blending traditional rituals (Juju) with modern online scams to swindle victims. The term “Sakawa” has roots in the Hausa language and refers to fraudulent practices that began to rise in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These scams are an extension of the well-known 419 scams from Nigeria, but Sakawa boys have taken it a step further by incorporating spiritual rituals believed to enhance their success in defrauding their victims.

2024 Update

The SCARS Institute is playing a pivotal role in working with its partner ‘Ghana Internet Safety Foundation’ in changing the way the Ghanaian government perceives and tackles cybercrime. In 2024, under the leadership of SCARS Institute Managing Director Dr. Tim McGuinness working with out GISF partner, several intensive training sessions have been conducted for Ghanaian law enforcement, including police officers, prosecutors, and members of the judiciary. These efforts have led to a significant increase in proper awareness of the damage these crimes do and the arrest of cybercriminals, particularly university students involved in scams, and the dismantling of several scammer gangs operating across the country.

A key factor behind this rapid progress has been the progressive attitude of the Ghanaian government. Authorities have come to understand that these scammers are not only defrauding foreigners but also targeting their fellow Ghanaians. This realization has sparked a stronger commitment to addressing the issue. These events and workshops are sustaining this momentum, supporting a more lawful and responsible society. SCARS continues to work closely with its partners in Ghana to ensure that law enforcement remains vigilant, well-trained, and dedicated to fighting these crimes at all levels of society.

Origins and Early Development

The origins of Sakawa cybercrime in Ghana can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the country began experiencing broader access to the internet. The phenomenon took root during a time of economic hardship and unemployment, particularly among the youth. With rising unemployment rates and limited opportunities for upward mobility, many young men, especially from poorer regions, were attracted to the promise of easy money through internet fraud.

Initially, these cybercriminals mirrored the well-known 419 scams that had originated in Nigeria, which typically involved email-based fraud and advance-fee scams. Ghanaian scammers adopted these methods, but over time, developed a distinct approach that incorporated local beliefs in spiritual power, or Juju. The inclusion of these ritualistic practices gave the Ghanaian scam operations a unique identity, now referred to as Sakawa.

Internet Access and the Rise of Cyber Cafés

The late 1990s saw a significant expansion in internet access across Ghana. Cybercafés began appearing in major urban areas, particularly in Accra, Kumasi, and other large cities. These cafés became key locations where young men learned how to operate online fraud schemes. These environments fostered a sense of community and cooperation among those who were involved in cybercrime, allowing individuals to share techniques and develop more sophisticated scams over time.

Economic Pressures and Justifications

For many involved in Sakawa, internet fraud presented a rare opportunity to break out of the cycle of poverty. The severe lack of job opportunities created frustration, and online fraud became a perceived way out of this economic despair. For the scammers, the illegal activity was often rationalized as a form of economic justice. They compared their actions to the colonial exploitation of Africa, suggesting that their online victims, many of whom were from Western countries, were themselves part of a broader system of exploitation.

This justification has allowed many Sakawa participants to continue their operations without significant moral conflict. They argue that their actions are no worse than the corruption within their own governments or the historical wrongs done to Africa during the colonial period​.

Cultural Influences and Juju

A unique aspect of Sakawa, distinguishing it from earlier forms of internet fraud, is the incorporation of Juju rituals. Many Sakawa Boys believe that by performing spiritual rituals, they can enhance their ability to deceive victims or protect themselves from harm, such as arrest by the authorities or retaliation from victims. These practices include consulting with Juju priests, who perform ceremonies that involve sacrifices and the use of specific charms or talismans. The belief is that these rituals will give the scammer supernatural power over their victims, making them more likely to comply with financial requests.

The blending of these traditional spiritual beliefs with modern internet crime reflects a cultural response to economic despair and the allure of wealth, creating a new, hybrid criminal subculture that blends technology with tradition.

Transition from Small-Scale Fraud to International Cybercrime

What began as small-scale email and social media fraud eventually evolved into more complex international cybercrime schemes. By the early 2000s, Sakawa Boys were no longer just using personal emails to scam victims but were also leveraging social media platforms, fake online businesses, and even sophisticated phishing attacks to steal identities, money, and sensitive information.

The rapid development of internet infrastructure in Ghana provided Sakawa Boys with the tools to expand their operations globally. This enabled them to reach a larger pool of victims, primarily targeting individuals in Western countries who had the financial resources to send money quickly via wire transfers or online payment services.

The economic disparity between Ghana and the West fueled these scams, as Sakawa Boys sought to tap into the wealth of foreign victims while continuing to justify their actions as part of a broader social and economic struggle.

The origins and early development of Sakawa cybercrime in Ghana reflect a complex mix of economic despair, cultural influences, and technological opportunity. From its roots in local cybercafés to its incorporation of spiritual beliefs, Sakawa has evolved into a global cybercrime enterprise. Though it began as a response to Ghana’s harsh economic realities, it has grown into a distinct subculture that continues to pose significant challenges to law enforcement and international cybercrime prevention efforts.

Organizational and Operational Structures of Sakawa Boys

The Sakawa Boys operate within a loosely organized but well-coordinated structure that enables them to conduct their scams efficiently, while often staying below law enforcement radar. These structures are a blend of informal networks, small groups, and hierarchies shaped by their social environment, spiritual beliefs, and technical expertise. While they are not a formalized criminal organization like a cartel, they do have distinct roles, skills, and operational strategies that allow them to run extensive cyber fraud schemes.

Each member of the group might have a different role, such as:

• Researching and selecting victims (often using social media platforms or dating sites).
• Creating fake identities to gain trust, particularly through online romance or business dealings.
• Executing the fraud, which might include emotional manipulation or creating urgent financial situations that require immediate monetary assistance.

A key distinguishing feature of the Sakawa Boys compared to other cybercriminals is their use of rituals. These spiritual practices are believed to enhance their persuasive abilities and ensure success in their scams. Some Sakawa Boys consult Juju priests, paying them for rituals intended to make their scams more effective, promising protection or supernatural powers to manipulate their victims.

Loose Networks of Collaboration

Sakawa Boys typically do not operate alone. Instead, they are part of networks of scammers who collaborate on various parts of the operation. These networks are often informal and based on mutual benefit, with members sharing knowledge, tools, and resources. These relationships are built in internet cafes or through online forums, where scammers exchange techniques on hacking, social engineering, and even spiritual practices to aid in their scams.

These networks allow for greater flexibility and adaptability. For example, if one scammer is particularly good at social engineering (convincing victims to give up sensitive information), they might collaborate with someone more skilled in the technical aspects of identity theft or credit card fraud. This division of labor allows each scammer to focus on their area of expertise, making the scams more effective and harder to detect.

Specialized Roles and Division of Labor

Within Sakawa networks, participants often assume specific roles to streamline their operations. Some of the key roles include:

• • • “Frontmen”: These are the individuals who interact directly with the victims. They build relationships over time, usually posing as romantic partners, business associates, or distressed individuals in need of urgent help. The frontman’s job is to emotionally manipulate the victim to the point where they are willing to send money or provide personal information.
    • Hackers/Technical Experts: These members handle the technical aspects of cybercrime, such as hacking into accounts, creating fake websites, or developing phishing schemes. They may also be responsible for stealing personal information like bank account details or credit card numbers, which are then used to execute financial fraud.
    • “Spiritual Consultants” (Juju Priests): A key differentiator in the Sakawa structure is the involvement of Juju priests, who are believed to provide spiritual protection or enhance the success of scams. Many Sakawa Boys believe that rituals involving sacrifices or special talismans will make their victims more susceptible to manipulation, and Juju priests play a critical role in performing these rituals.
    • Money Mules: These individuals are responsible for handling the money. They may receive the funds from victims and then distribute it among the members of the network, helping to cover their tracks by using fake identities, multiple bank accounts, or international money transfers to avoid detection by authorities.

Spiritual Hierarchies

One unique aspect of Sakawa operations is the spiritual hierarchy within the network. The spiritual element, tied to traditional Ghanaian beliefs in Juju, plays a significant role in how the network operates. It is common for scammers to consult a Juju priest before engaging in a scam, believing that the spiritual guidance and rituals will improve their chances of success.

Juju priests, in some cases, hold considerable power within the network, providing spiritual services in exchange for a share of the proceeds from the scams. These rituals might include animal sacrifices, specific chants, or the use of charms believed to offer protection from the law or supernatural punishment. This blend of spirituality with crime gives the Sakawa network a unique operational structure compared to other cybercriminal organizations.

Collaboration with International Networks

While Sakawa operations originally targeted victims within Ghana or nearby African nations, the expansion of internet access has allowed them to collaborate with international criminal networks. These collaborations often involve money laundering, where stolen funds from abroad are funneled through multiple accounts or businesses to evade detection. They may also share resources and hacking tools with international cybercrime syndicates, making their operations even more sophisticated.

The international connections allow Sakawa Boys to expand their scope, targeting wealthier individuals in Europe and North America, where financial losses from scams tend to be larger. This collaboration has increased the complexity of their operations, requiring more intricate networks of participants and greater attention to avoiding law enforcement​.

Operational Strategies and Tactics

The operations of the Sakawa Boys are methodical, with various techniques employed to lure victims, avoid detection, and extract the maximum amount of money. Some of their strategies include:

• • • Romance Scams: Perhaps the most common scam is the romance scam, where scammers develop long-term emotional connections with victims, convincing them to send money under false pretenses. This tactic relies heavily on psychological manipulation, and victims are often targeted over the course of months or even years before being defrauded.
    • Business and Investment Scams: Sakawa Boys also operate fake businesses or investment schemes. Victims are promised high returns on investments or are told they need to pay fees to claim a large financial reward, such as lottery winnings.
    • Phishing and Hacking: Another critical component of their operations is the use of phishing attacks to steal sensitive information like passwords and bank account details. This is often done through emails, fake websites, or social media platforms where they trick victims into providing confidential information.

Violence and Intimidation

While most Sakawa Boys operate primarily through deception and psychological manipulation, some cases have escalated into violence. Rivalry between different Sakawa groups can lead to conflict, and there have been reports of these networks turning to violence, especially when disputes over money arise. Additionally, in rare cases, victims within Ghana who refuse to cooperate may face threats or actual violence.

The involvement of Juju and spiritual practices has also contributed to violent acts. In some instances, rituals performed by Sakawa Boys have been rumored to involve animal or even human sacrifices, although such cases are rare and extreme. These rituals are believed to strengthen the scammer’s power over their victims, making them more compliant​.

The organizational and operational structures of Sakawa Boys are characterized by flexibility, collaboration, and a unique integration of traditional spiritual beliefs with modern technology. From specialized roles within the network to the use of Juju rituals to enhance success, Sakawa Boys have created an intricate system that allows them to carry out sophisticated cybercrimes. Their reliance on international networks, coupled with their use of both psychological manipulation and, in some cases, violence, has made them a formidable force in the world of online scams. Despite efforts to combat their operations, they continue to evolve and adapt to new technologies, making them a persistent threat both within Ghana and globally.

Types of Scams

The scams employed by Sakawa Boys typically fall into the following categories:

Romance Scams: Creating fake romantic relationships with victims online, eventually leading to requests for money under the guise of personal or emergency needs.

Identity Theft: Using stolen personal information to defraud individuals or institutions, often through online banking or financial transactions.

Business and Investment Fraud: Victims are led to believe they are engaging in legitimate business deals, only to be defrauded out of their money.

Lottery Scams: Victims are told they have won a prize but need to pay fees or taxes upfront to receive their winnings.

And of course many more.

Sakawa Boys’ Spiritual Beliefs and Juju Practices

One of the most distinctive aspects of Sakawa Boys is the integration of Juju (traditional African spirituality) with their cybercriminal activities. The belief in the power of Juju rituals is central to the way many Sakawa Boys operate, as they combine ancient spiritual practices with modern internet scams to enhance their perceived success in defrauding victims. For these scammers, Juju is not merely a cultural practice but a strategic tool, offering what they believe to be supernatural advantages in their criminal endeavors.

Belief in Supernatural Enhancement

Sakawa Boys often seek the help of Juju priests, traditional spiritual leaders who perform rituals believed to enhance the scammer’s persuasive abilities or protect them from being caught. These rituals are meant to give the scammers supernatural advantages, such as:

• • • Increased Charisma: The belief that Juju can make the scammer more likable or trusted by their victims, leading them to give money more easily.
    • Protection from Law Enforcement: Some scammers believe that Juju rituals can make them invisible to authorities or protect them from arrest and prosecution.
    • Manipulative Power: Rituals are often thought to bestow the ability to manipulate and control the emotions of victims more effectively, ensuring that they stay engaged in the scam.

Juju Rituals and Practices

The rituals themselves vary, but they often involve animal sacrifices, chanting, and the use of specific charms or talismans, called fetishes, which are believed to hold spiritual power. For example, sacrifices of chickens or goats are common in these ceremonies, as they are thought to appease spiritual entities or ancestors. Some Juju priests reportedly demand large sums of money from the Sakawa Boys in exchange for these rituals, further illustrating the transactional nature of these spiritual practices within the subculture​

• • • Sacrifices and Offerings: Blood sacrifices of animals are believed to summon spiritual forces that grant power or protection. These rituals are often done privately but are critical in the scammer’s belief system.
    • Charms and Talismans: Special objects are used as symbols of protection and luck. These might be worn on the body or placed in a scammer’s home or vehicle, as they are believed to enhance the success of the scam.
    • Ceremonial Chants and Incantations: These are used to invoke spiritual forces, with the belief that words spoken during these rituals have power.

Psychological and Social Impact

The incorporation of Juju into cyber fraud has a psychological dimension as well. The Sakawa Boys’ faith in Juju practices provides them with confidence in their schemes, often making them more fearless or determined. This belief may reinforce their resolve to continue scamming, even when they face resistance or skepticism from their victims. The scammers believe that their spiritual practices are a necessary ritual for success, rather than purely relying on technical skills and deception.

Moreover, these spiritual practices are deeply entwined with their social and cultural identity. Many Sakawa Boys come from impoverished areas, and the rapid accumulation of wealth through scams—supported by Juju rituals—gives them an elevated status in their communities. This newfound status is also linked to the spiritual authority they gain by engaging with Juju priests, who are respected figures within traditional African societies.

Moral Justification

For many Sakawa Boys, the use of Juju not only offers practical benefits but also a form of moral justification. Some see their scams as a means of reclaiming wealth stolen from Africa during the colonial era, with Juju rituals providing a spiritual endorsement for this form of economic “redistribution.” In this context, Juju rituals become both a spiritual guide and a rationalization for their criminal activities.

Extreme Practices and Allegations of Human Sacrifice

While the majority of rituals involve animal sacrifices and the use of charms, there have been allegations of more extreme practices, including human sacrifices. Though such cases are rare and often sensationalized, they reveal the dark side of the spiritual dimension in Sakawa culture. In these instances, the belief is that a human sacrifice can offer even greater protection or success, making the scammer invincible or untouchable. These extreme rituals are usually tied to heightened fears or desires for power within the subculture.

Juju’s Role in Maintaining Control

Juju plays a critical role in maintaining both psychological control over the scammer and emotional manipulation over the victim. The scammer’s belief in their spiritual power emboldens them, often giving them the confidence to manipulate their victims without guilt. Additionally, scammers might reference spiritual consequences or use mystical language in their communications with victims, furthering the emotional manipulation.

How Juju is Being Used in 2024

In 2024, the Sakawa Boys in Ghana continue to practice Juju rituals as part of their cybercrime activities, believing that these spiritual practices enhance their success in scamming and protect them from consequences. These rituals have become more organized and ritualistic, involving animal sacrifices, incantations, and the use of talismans believed to grant supernatural powers. The rituals are often led by Juju priests, who are paid by scammers to perform ceremonies designed to invoke protection from spiritual entities or compel victims to comply with their scams.

These rituals serve multiple purposes, including increasing the scammer’s persuasive abilities and ensuring protection from law enforcement. In 2024, some reports indicate that these practices have evolved to include more symbolic sacrifices and deeper connections with local spiritual beliefs. Scammers often feel emboldened by these practices, reinforcing their resolve to continue with their fraudulent activities, confident in the belief that they are shielded from both spiritual and legal repercussions.

This reliance on Juju rituals also reflects the broader cultural and spiritual landscape of Ghana, where belief in the supernatural remains prevalent. For some, these practices offer a psychological crutch to deal with the anxiety and risk inherent in their criminal activities, while others see it as a moral disengagement—a way to rationalize their actions as being guided by forces beyond mere criminality

The integration of Juju practices into the Sakawa Boys’ operations is a fascinating blend of modern technology and ancient spiritual beliefs. For many scammers, these rituals are not only tools for success but also symbols of cultural identity, offering psychological assurance in their dangerous and illegal activities. The belief in spiritual protection through Juju rituals adds another layer of complexity to the criminal activities of Sakawa Boys, making their operations a unique fusion of tradition and cybercrime. These beliefs are deeply entrenched in the subculture, shaping both the behavior of the scammers and their interactions with the wider society, as they navigate the blurred lines between spirituality and crime.

Tendencies Toward Violence

While most Sakawa scams are based on deception and manipulation, there have been reports of the scammers resorting to violence, particularly when rival groups are involved or when victims within Ghana refuse to cooperate. Additionally, the dependence on Juju and ritual practices can sometimes lead to dangerous actions, including human sacrifice, though these extreme cases are rare.

Summary

Sakawa Boys represent a complex subculture in Ghana, one that is deeply intertwined with poverty, spiritual beliefs, and the desire to escape economic hardship through any means necessary. The government of Ghana, along with international law enforcement, continues to battle this growing issue, which has significantly impacted the country’s global reputation. Despite efforts to crack down on cybercrime, Sakawa Boys continue to thrive in a world where the internet provides ample opportunities for fraud