Nigerian comedian and actor Nkem Owoh was one of the 111 suspected 419 scammers arrested in Amsterdam recently as part of a seven month investigation, dubbed Operation Apollo.

Owoh became a well known star within the Nigerian film industry, sometimes colloquially known as Nollywood because of its trite plots, poor dialogue, terrible sound, and low production standards.

Owoh starred in the 2003 film Osuofia, and a year later was one of several actors temporarily banned from appearing in movies by Nigeria's Association of Movie Marketers and Producers because he demanded excessive fees and unreasonable contract demands.

Owoh became internationally known for his song "I Go Chop Your Dollar", the anthem for 419 scammers ("Oyinbo man I go chop your dollar, I go take your money and disappear 419 is just a game, you are the loser I am the winner", full lyrics here), which was banned in Nigeria after many complaints.

The song was the title track from the comedy, The Master, starring Owoh as a scheming 419er.

The alleged scammers are suspected of running a series of lottery-based (AKA 419-lite) scams. ®

Related stories

• 419 scammers plead guilty in US (1 February 2008)
• Irish man rescued after falling for 419 scam (1 November 2007)
• Hotmail hack punts person in peril scam (23 August 2007)
• 419-lite scammers target pet lovers (8 August 2007)
• Dutch police arrest 111 West Africans in 419 clampdown (18 June 2007)
• Another 419 scam ring nicked (25 April 2007)
• Trial in 419-related murder under way (10 April 2007)
• 419ers take Kent minister for £12k (5 April 2007)
• Updated Nigerians launch fake Met Police site (12 March 2007)