ACCRA, Ghana (BN24) — Ghanaian authorities have arrested ten individuals accused of orchestrating a sophisticated online scam that targeted food delivery customers by impersonating popular brands, the Ghana Police Service announced Monday.
The suspects, including three women and seven men, were apprehended in separate operations carried out by the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). They are accused of creating fake websites and social media profiles that mimicked legitimate food delivery services such as KFC, Pizzaman, Papaye, and Mawarko.
The initial arrests took place on October 1 in Sogakope, where six suspects identified as Wonder Sakpiti, Sedinam Amaglo, Godsway Dunyo, Angela Agblemekpe, Mathew Aheto, and Fafali Amoah were detained following weeks of intelligence-led investigations. Police said the individuals lured victims into placing food orders through fraudulent digital platforms and demanded advance payments via mobile money.
After receiving payments, victims were left without their food, and in some cases, the scam escalated. Preliminary findings indicate that the suspects allegedly gained unauthorized access to victims’ mobile money wallets and bank accounts under the pretext of helping them complete transactions and then withdrew funds without consent.
A second wave of arrests was conducted on October 12 at a hideout in Haatso, a suburb of Accra. Police detained the alleged ringleader, Elijah Sotama Etse, who goes by the alias “Pop Smoke,” along with Elliot Sotama Atsu, Jethro Atsu, and Obed Selasi Agboli.
Twelve mobile phones believed to have been used in the scam were seized and are currently undergoing forensic analysis. Authorities have also retrieved various digital devices as part of the ongoing investigation.
All ten suspects remain in police custody and are scheduled to appear before the court today, Monday, October 13, 2025.
The Ghana Police Service is urging members of the public who may have been affected by the fraudulent scheme to come forward and file complaints at the nearest police station to support the investigation.
The arrests mark a significant development in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to combat cyber-enabled fraud, particularly schemes exploiting the country’s growing online commerce sector.
