The Ghana Police Service, through its Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has arrested 10 persons for allegedly creating fake online food delivery platforms to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
A statement signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer of the CID, said the arrests followed sustained intelligence operations aimed at clamping down on cyber-related fraud.
The first six suspects-Wonder Sakpiti, Sedinam Amaglo, Godsway Dunyo, Angela Agblemekpe, Mathew Aheto, and Fafali Amoah- were arrested on October 1, 2025, at Sogakope in the Volta Region.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had created fake websites and social media accounts impersonating well-known food brands, including Papaye, Pizzaman, KFC, and Mawarko.
Victims who placed orders on these platforms were directed to make advance payments through mobile money but never received their food.
In some instances, the suspects allegedly gained unauthorized access to victims’ mobile money and bank accounts under the guise of assisting them with payments and subsequently withdrew funds.
Further investigations led to the arrest of the prime suspect, Elijah Sotama Etse, alias Pop Smoke, believed to be the leader of the syndicate, together with three others-Elliot Sotama Atsu, Jethro Atsu, and Obed Selasi Agboli — from their hideout at Haatso in Accra on October 12, 2025.
The statement said 12 mobile phones suspected to have been used in the fraudulent operations were retrieved and are undergoing forensic examination.
All suspects are currently in police custody and were later arraigned before court on Monday, October 13, 2025, as at filing this report.
The Police Service urged members of the public, who may have fallen victim to the scam, to report to the nearest police station to assist with ongoing investigations.
GNA
