The Ghana Police Service, through the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), has apprehended ten individuals suspected of creating fraudulent online food delivery platforms to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspects allegedly designed and operated fake websites and social media pages purporting to represent popular food brands, including Papaye, Pizzaman, KFC, and Mawarko. Through these platforms, victims were lured into placing food orders and making advance mobile money payments, which never resulted in the delivery of the items ordered.
According to a statement issued by the CID and signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer of the Department, the arrests followed a series of intelligence-led operations.
The first phase of the operation, conducted on October 1, 2025, at Sogakope, led to the arrest of six suspects identified as Wonder Sakpiti, Sedinam Amaglo, Godsway Dunyo, Angela Agblemekpe, Mathew Aheto, and Fafali Amoah. Police reports indicate that the operation was carried out after sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering on the fraudulent activities of the group.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects not only collected payments from victims but, in certain cases, also gained unauthorized access to their mobile money wallets and bank accounts under the pretext of assisting with transactions. Funds were subsequently withdrawn from these accounts without the victims’ consent.
Digital devices, including mobile phones and computers believed to have been used in the illegal operations, were retrieved and are currently undergoing forensic examination.
The second phase of the operation, conducted on October 12, 2025, led to the arrest of the alleged ringleader, Elijah Sotama Etse, alias Pop Smoke, together with three others — Elliot Sotama Atsu, Jethro Atsu, and Obed Selasi Agboli — from their hideout at Haatso, a suburb of Accra. Twelve mobile phones were recovered from the suspects during the exercise.
All ten suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before court on Monday, October 13, 2025.
The Ghana Police Service has urged members of the public who may have fallen victim to similar online scams to report to the nearest police station to assist with ongoing investigations.
The Police further advised the general public to exercise caution when making online transactions and to verify the authenticity of websites and vendors before making payments.
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