Fraud/Scam (Confidence trick) For example: "That be 419 scheme (That's a fraudulent scheme)"

Where does the slang word 419 come from?

419 is a slang term from Ghana. It is part of the rich slang vocabulary used in Ghana and across Africa.

419

🇬🇭 Ghana Slang

Added Apr 06, 2026 · 1 definition

TOP DEFINITION

419 definition 1

Fraud/Scam (Confidence trick)

"That be 419 scheme (That's a fraudulent scheme)"

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Apr 06, 2026

Word Details

Country: 🇬🇭 Ghana
Definitions: 1 community definition
Added: April 2026

↻ Similar Words

419 🇳🇬 Nigeria

General West African slang for fraud, originating from the Nigerian criminal code section 419 which outlaws advance-fee scams. Calling someone a '419' means they're a scammer.

"That job offer sounds like 419, be careful. (Meaning: That offer looks like a scam, be cautious.)"

419 🇨🇲 Cameroon

419 (Fraud/scam)

"Dat na 419 (That's a scam)"

🇬🇭 About Ghana Slang

Ghanaian slang reflects the country's diverse ethnic tapestry. Akan, Ewe, and Ga languages fuse with English to create Pidgin expressions and Afrobeats-influenced street terms.

KASINARY has 1934 Ghana slang words collected from native speakers.

Browse all Ghana slang (1934 words)

🌍 "419" Across Africa

This word is also used in 2 other countries, sometimes with a different meaning.

419 🇳🇬 Nigeria

General West African slang for fraud, originating from the Nigerian criminal code section 419 which outlaws advance-fee scams. Calling someone a '419'…

419 🇨🇲 Cameroon

419 (Fraud/scam)