Sakawa in Ghana: The Influence of Weak Ties on Economic Cybercrime Offender Networks

Economic cybercrime, also referred to as Sakawa, constitutes a significant challenge in Ghana’s digital landscape. There is a dearth of studies on the role of social networks, both virtual and real-world, in fostering such illicit activities. Drawing from a year-long qualitative field study conducted in Ghana, specifically delving into Sakawa, this paper examines economic cybercrimes through the lens of Granovetter’s “strength of weak ties” theory (1973). The study centers on how perpetrators leverage social capital embedded within their networks to perpetrate these offenses and delve into the dynamics of relationships accessible to offenders, encompassing both offline connections and online affiliations. The research findings show that weak social ties, fostered through referrals and social media platforms, provide offenders with essential social capital.