Three more fake online food delivery service operators arrested

Three additional persons have been arrested and arraigned for allegedly operating fake online food delivery services.

This brings to seven the number of accused persons before the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding customers who placed food orders and made advance mobile money payments but never received the food.

The latest accused persons are: Godsway Dunyo, Wonder Sakpiti, and Mathew Aheto.

Earlier, on October 15, 2025, the first group: Elliot Sotama Atsu, 20; Elijah Sotama, 20; Jethro Atsu, 20; and Obed Selasi Agboli, were arraigned.

The seven have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, five counts of defrauding by false pretences, and five counts of stealing.

 In addition, Agboli faces a charge of money laundering for allegedly using proceeds from the fraudulent activities to purchase an E450 Mercedes Benz valued at GH¢800,000.

All accused persons have pleaded not guilty and have been remanded into lawful custody.

The prosecution said a complaint and subsequent intelligence led officers of the Ghana Police Service Cybercrime Unit to arrest Dunyo, Sakpiti, and Aheto in Sogakope on October 1, 2025.

The remaining accused persons, described as alleged ringleaders, were arrested on October 10, 2025, at an apartment in Haatso, Accra.

They were alleged to have created fake online platforms and social media pages mimicking well-known food brands such as Papaye, Pizzaman, Chickenman, KFC, and Mawarko.

Victims who encountered these pages placed orders and were instructed to make advance mobile money payments, but the orders were never delivered.

Prosecution said victims were sometimes sent verification links, which, when clicked, enabled the accused to gain access to their bank accounts linked to their mobile money numbers, leading to unauthorised withdrawals.

Investigations so far show that a total of GH¢91,100 was withdrawn from the bank and mobile wallets of five identified victims.

Police also retrieved 28 assorted mobile phones believed to have been used in the fraudulent operations.

Digital forensic examinations are ongoing to reach out to other victims.

Source: GNA