Ghanaian man, John Ackay Blay-Miezah scammed over 300 Americans of $250 million.
He told them he had $27 billion in a bond, but needed help to unlock it.
He was arrested in Ghana in 1975, but talked his way out of it.
He got a Diplomatic passport and moved to Europe.
He executed one of the largest advance-fee scams in history during the 1960s-1980s, convincing over 300 Americans to invest $250 million in a fictitious $27 billion bond, leveraging his charisma and a fabricated diplomatic status.
His 1975 arrest in Ghana for undeclared currency was overturned through persuasive influence over the Acheampong government, which he convinced of a $47 billion Swiss bank account, showcasing his ability to manipulate political systems with bold narratives.
Historical context from a 2025 study in The Conversation suggests Ghanaian scammers like Blay-Miezah often frame their actions as retribution for colonial exploitation, reflecting a cultural narrative that may have fueled his confidence and societal tolerance for his schemes.
