Papaye, KFC and Pizzaman customers among most targeted as TrustGH uncovers nearly 1,000 scam numbers cloning Google business profiles of major food chains

TrustGH, a Ghanaian platform dedicated to identifying and reporting online scams, has discovered nearly 1,000 suspicious mobile numbers linked to fraudulent Google Business Profiles. These profiles mimic prominent Ghanaian food chains and eateries, including Papaye, KFC, and Pizzaman Chickenman. The investigation, conducted using open-source intelligence and digital analysis, reveals that these fraudulent listings exploit the trust associated with well-known food brands.

Customers searching for nearby restaurants may encounter these seemingly legitimate listings, which include copied business details, photographs, menus, and phone numbers. Scammers then use the displayed phone numbers to deceive consumers into making payments, often through mobile money or payment links controlled by the fraudsters.

The investigation also highlights that nearly 5,000 suspicious numbers have been reported to TrustGH, encompassing various forms of online fraud, such as phishing, investment scams, recruitment scams, and fake recruitment offers. TrustGH urges consumers to verify the legitimacy of any restaurant listed on Google Search or Maps by independently checking the phone number through the restaurant's official website or verified social media channels before completing any transactions.

The organization also encourages users to report suspicious numbers on TrustGH.com to contribute to a collective intelligence database and help protect others from falling victim to these scams.