Ghana Police Arrest 10 for Operating Fake Online Food Delivery Platforms
Ghana Police Arrest 10 for Operating Fake Online Food Delivery Platforms
The Ghana Police Service, through the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), has arrested ten suspects allegedly behind a sophisticated online food delivery scam targeting unsuspecting customers across Ghana.
The syndicate is accused of creating fake websites and social media pages that impersonated popular food brands, including Papaye, Pizzaman, KFC, and Mawarko, to defraud victims through fake delivery orders and mobile money scams.
How the Fraud Was Uncovered
The first wave of arrests took place on October 1, 2025, at Sogakope in the Volta Region following a targeted police operation based on sustained intelligence gathering.
The six suspects initially arrested were identified as Wonder Sakpiti, Sedinam Amaglo, Godsway Dunyo, Angela Agblemekpe, Mathew Aheto, and Fafali Amoah — three males and three females suspected to be operating the fraudulent platforms.
According to police investigations, the suspects designed counterfeit food delivery websites and social media accounts using the logos and names of well-known restaurants to deceive the public. Victims who placed orders were instructed to make advance payments via mobile money, after which the fraudsters vanished without delivering the food.
In some cases, victims lost even more when the suspects gained unauthorized access to mobile money wallets and bank accounts, pretending to assist them with payments and later withdrawing funds.
The Arrest of the Syndicate Leader
Following continued investigations, police tracked down the ringleader of the operation to Haatso in Accra, where another four suspects were arrested on October 12, 2025.
The newly arrested individuals include Elijah Sotama Etse, alias Pop Smoke (identified as the syndicate leader), Elliot Sotama Atsu, Jethro Atsu, and Obed Selasi Agboli.
During the arrest, twelve mobile phones believed to have been used for the online scams were retrieved and are currently undergoing digital forensic analysis.
All ten suspects are in police custody and are expected to appear before court on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Police Urge Victims to Report
The Ghana Police Service has called on members of the public who may have fallen victim to the fake delivery scam to report to the nearest police station to assist with ongoing investigations.
Authorities also reminded the public to be vigilant when shopping online, emphasizing that verified food delivery services will never demand full mobile money payment before delivery or request sensitive financial details.
“We urge all citizens to verify any online business before making payments and to report suspicious activities immediately,” the Police said in an official statement.
Cybercrime on the Rise in Ghana
This incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and online fraud in Ghana, especially involving fake e-commerce and delivery platforms.
According to cybersecurity experts, scammers increasingly exploit social media advertisements and cloned websites to trick customers into making payments for non-existent products or services.
The Cybercrime Unit of the CID has reiterated its commitment to tracking, arresting, and prosecuting individuals and groups involved in such schemes, as part of the ongoing effort to make Ghana’s digital space safer for consumers and businesses.
Public Safety Advisory
The Ghana Police have provided the following online safety tips to help citizens avoid falling victim to similar scams:
- Verify website URLs and ensure they match the official pages of recognized brands.
- Avoid making advance mobile money payments to personal numbers.
- Check reviews and official contacts before ordering food or making payments online.
- Report fake pages or suspicious advertisements to the police cybercrime unit or the platform’s support team.
