Criminal Investigations have begun in the US State of Hawaii into how fraudsters managed to use the name of President John Mahama and the government of Ghana in a massive email scam.

The Attorney General of the US state has issued a statement detailing how the fraudsters claimed that the president of Ghana and other government officials have set aside 1.8 million dollars to be paid to a number of persons.

The scammers demanded that their unsuspecting victims pay various fees to facilitate the transfer of the money.

To give their scam a high level of credibility, the fraudsters claimed the fund was available with the Attorney General of Hawaii and could be accessed.

The statement issued by the Attorney General of Hawaii, a copy of which was intercepted by Joy News' Elton John Brobbey stated that the state of Hawaii had no connection with a scheme to transfer money from any government.

The statement advised all not to approve any email emanating from davidlouie@lawyer.com and attorneygeneraloffice@lawyer.com.

The Ghana government is said to have received the email and has begun its own investigations.

In an interview with Joy News the CEO of Internet Research firm Eric Essiakwa said scammers play on identity and credibility.

He said it is important for the president to quickly distance himself from the fraud.