3 Notorious Scammers from Africa with Shocking Stories

Africa has seen its share of masterminds of high-stakes deception and audacious schemes who captivated the world with their shocking stories of trick and manipulation. These individuals, driven by greed and ambition, orchestrated elaborate scams that left a trail of shattered dreams and financial ruin among their victims. Their exploits serve as cautionary tales, highlighting the lengths some would go to amass wealth at the expense of others.

In this exposé, we look into the details of some notorious scammers from Africa whose audacious feats of manipulation and cunning machinations will leave you both bewildered and intrigued. Let’s dive in.

Emeka Okoronkwo and Michael Owolabi Alonge

Two agents, Emeka Okoronkwo and Michael Owolabi Alonge stand out with a shocking tale of deceit, operating under the guise of property dealings, and managing to orchestrate a cunning land scam that left a US-based Nigerian businessman, Kennedy Chukwuemeka Nwabuoku reeling, having paid a staggering N787.5 million for 150 plots of Lagos Lagoon.

Okoronkwo and Alonge, presented the businessman with images and videos of caterpillars working diligently on the purported land site. Nwabuoku’s quest for certainty led him to come back to Nigeria, only to confront the harsh reality of his investments. With fictitious names in the deed of assignment and a paper trail of substantial sums, the culprits’ crime became clear. As legal proceedings came to play, Okoronkwo faced accountability and was charged to court while Alonge reportedly is on the run.

Foutanga Babani Sissoko

Foutanga Babani Sissoko’s shocking tale stands as a testament to the extraordinary lengths scammers can go. Famed for his mystic claims, Sissoko managed to dupe the Dubai Islamic Bank of a staggering US$242 million, all while asserting he could wield black magic. He partnered with the bank manager, Mohammed Ayoub, and they both orchestrated 183 international transfers between 1995 and 1998. This windfall purportedly fueled his dream of launching West Africa’s airline, Air Dabia, with vintage Boeing 727s and a Hawker-Siddeley 125.

While attempting to purchase military helicopters he was arrested and extradited to the US. However, with influential allies, he managed to secure bail despite a $20 million price tag. Subsequent legal proceedings saw him serve a 43-day sentence and pay a hefty fine. Yet, Sissoko’s enthralling saga didn’t end there. After his release, Sissoko’s intrigue extended to Mali’s political realm, granting him immunity as a parliamentarian. 

John Ackay Blay-Miezah

Ghanaian swindler, John Ackay Blay-Miezah orchestrated one of the most massive scams in Philadelphia’s history, duping over 300 Americans of a staggering $200 million. Crafting a narrative intertwined with Ghana’s history, Blay-Miezah claimed access to a $27 billion fortune entrusted to him by the nation’s revered first Prime Minister and President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Blay-Miezah’s audacity knew no bounds as he convinced Ghana’s then Head of State, Ignatius Acheampong, to grant him diplomatic immunity, while his tales of a fictional Ghanaian trust fund amassed wealth. As authorities closed in, his silver tongue led him to escape the death penalty for economic crimes in Ghana. Blay-Miezah’s audacious saga reflects the enduring allure of charismatic con artists, as he manipulated investors, evaded FBI pursuit, and maintained an air of mystique.