Ten arrested for operating fake online food delivery platforms

The Ghana Police Service has arrested ten people suspected of running fake online food delivery platforms to defraud unsuspecting customers.

According to a statement issued by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Monday, October 13, 2025, signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer at the CID, the arrests were made through a targeted operation led by the Cybercrime Unit following sustained intelligence gathering.

The first six suspects, identified as Wonder Sakpiti, Sedinam Amaglo, Godsway Dunyo, Angela Agblemekpe, Mathew Aheto, and Fafali Amoah, were picked up on October 1, 2025, at Sogakope.

Preliminary investigations, the statement noted, revealed that the group had created fake websites and social media pages posing as popular food brands such as Papaye, Pizzaman, KFC, and Mawarco. Victims who ordered food from these fake pages were allegedly directed to make mobile money payments in advance but never received their orders.

“In some cases, the suspects gained unauthorized access to victims’ mobile money wallets and bank accounts under the guise of assisting them with payments and subsequently withdrew funds,” the statement said.

Digital devices believed to have been used in the scam were retrieved and are undergoing forensic examination.

Further investigations led to the arrest of the ring leader, Elijah Sotama Etse, also known as Pop Smoke, along with three others, Elliot Sotama Atsu, Jethro Atsu, and Obed Selasi Agboli, from their hideout at Haatso in Accra on October 12, 2025. Police say twelve mobile phones were seized during the operation and are being preserved for forensic analysis.

“All ten suspects are currently in police custody and will be put before the court today, Monday, October 13, 2025,” the statement added.

The Police also urged members of the public who may have fallen victim to the fraudulent scheme to report to the nearest police station to assist in ongoing investigations.