Police arrest ten over fake food delivery fraud scheme

The Ghana Police Service has apprehended ten individuals in connection with a large-scale online fraud operation involving fake food delivery platforms targeting customers across the country.

The suspects allegedly created counterfeit websites and social media accounts mimicking popular brands such as Papaye, Pizzaman, KFC, and Mawarko to solicit payments from unsuspecting consumers.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) revealed that the arrests were carried out by the Cybercrime Unit following weeks of intelligence-driven investigations. The operation uncovered a sophisticated scheme in which customers were required to make advance payments through mobile money, but their orders were never delivered, leading to financial losses and frustration.

The initial arrests took place on October 1, 2025, at Sogakope, where six individuals—Wonder Sakpiti, Sedinam Amaglo, Godsway Dunyo, Angela Agblemekpe, Mathew Aheto, and Fafali Amoah—were detained. Investigations indicated that some suspects also gained unauthorized access to victims’ mobile wallets and bank accounts under the pretext of assisting with transactions, subsequently withdrawing funds without consent.

During the first phase of the operation, several electronic devices were seized, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis to help trace the extent of the fraud and identify other potential accomplices.

Following further intelligence, a second raid was executed on October 12, 2025, at Haatso in Accra, resulting in the arrest of four additional suspects. These include Elijah Sotama Etse, known as “Pop Smoke,” along with Elliot Sotama Atsu, Jethro Atsu, and Obed Selasi Agboli. Authorities also recovered twelve mobile phones and other devices believed to have been used in perpetrating the scam.

All ten suspects remain in police custody and are scheduled to be arraigned in court today, Monday, October 13, 2025. The Police Service has urged the public to exercise caution when placing orders online and to verify the authenticity of platforms and vendors before making payments.

Meanwhile, four men have been arrested in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality after police intercepted a Kia Rhino truck suspected of carrying a huge quantity of Indian hemp.

The vehicle, bearing registration number WT 591-20, was stopped at the Mpeasem Axle Load Station during an intelligence-led operation headed by Chief Inspector Abraham Bansah.

Police say the truck, driven by a 34-year-old man, was believed to be transporting 2,250 parcels of compressed Indian hemp from the Central Region en route to Nzema in the Western Region. The officers reportedly became suspicious during a routine inspection and, upon searching the vehicle, uncovered the parcels hidden among other goods.

All four suspects were taken into custody and are currently assisting investigators at the Elmina Police Station. Authorities are working to trace the source and ownership of the illicit cargo while expanding investigations to dismantle the network behind the shipment.

The operation forms part of a broader crackdown by the Ghana Police Service on narcotics smuggling and related criminal activities along major transport routes in the region.