Ghanaians lost nearly GH¢300,000 to online restaurant impersonation scams between January and June 2026, according to the Cyber Security Authority (CSA). The Authority reported that financial losses rose to GH¢296,083.68 from 112 reported cases, a significant increase from GH¢84,592 lost in 61 cases during the same period in 2025.
The CSA said fraudsters are hijacking Google business listings by altering restaurant contact details, creating fake profiles or exploiting Google Search and Maps to deceive customers. Victims are persuaded to pay for food orders through mobile money or fraudulent payment links, only for communication to cease without any delivery.
The Authority has advised consumers to verify restaurant contact details through official websites, verified social media pages or trusted food delivery platforms before making payments. It also urged businesses to secure and regularly monitor their online business profiles to prevent impersonation and protect customers from fraud.