A study by Ghana’s public scam-verification and reporting platform, TrustGH, has identified KFC, Papaye and Pizzaman Chickenman as among the food businesses most heavily targeted by scammers using fraudulent Google Business Profiles.

This comes after TrustGH embarked on an extensive open-source intelligence (OSINT) and digital investigation focusing specifically on the online presence of major food businesses on Google Search and Google Maps.

The investigation targeted suspicious business listings, telephone numbers and other publicly available digital indicators associated with suspected fraudulent restaurant profiles, with the above-listed restaurants linked to nearly 100 suspected fraudulent Google Business Profiles each.

“The investigation indicates that customers of Papaye, KFC and Pizzaman Chickenman are among the most heavily targeted, with close to 100 suspected fraudulent Google Business Profiles identified in connection with each of the three brands,” the report said.

Also, about 16 other restaurants were identified among the targets of fake Google profiles.

“Other food businesses identified during the investigation include Pinkberry, Marwako, 80/20 Burger, Pizza Inn, Eddy’s Pizza, Papa’s Pizza, Noble House, Starbite, Chicken Inn, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Frankie’s, Honeysuckle, Flicks & Licks, Chicken Republic and ChopShop,” parts of the report read.

Fraudsters take advantage of Google listings

Highlighting a major concern, TrustGH warned consumers that the appearance of a business on Google does not automatically mean that all the information displayed on its profile is authentic.

“TrustGH believes consumers should therefore understand that a business appearing on Google does not automatically mean that every piece of information displayed on the profile is authentic. The telephone number on a fraudulent listing can become the bridge between an apparently legitimate online search and a fraudulent payment,” the report added.

Recommendations

TrustGH is calling for stronger collaboration among Google, affected businesses, the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant stakeholders to improve the detection, verification and removal of fraudulent business listings.

It also urged consumers to verify business telephone numbers and profiles through the businesses’ official websites and social media platforms, adopting “a simple cybersecurity practice: verify before you pay.”

“Customers who find a restaurant through Google Search or Google Maps should independently verify the telephone number using the restaurant’s official website, verified social media account or another trusted channel before sending money.

“Consumers are also encouraged to use TrustGH.com to check whether a suspicious telephone number has previously been reported. If a number appears suspicious or is associated with a suspected scam, members of the public are encouraged to report the number on TrustGH.com. Public reporting can help build a broader intelligence picture and potentially warn other consumers,” the report said.

TrustGH press statement finalDownload

Meanwhile, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) raised an alarm over the rapid rise in online restaurant scam cases recorded in the first half of the year.

The Authority, in a public advisory dated July 16, warned that “cybercriminals create and, in some cases, alter the contact details of legitimate restaurants and food vendors on Google Search, Google Maps, and other online platforms to trick unsuspecting customers”

Consequently, several Ghanaians have lost millions of cedis in the last 6 months of the year.

CSA said, between January and June 2026, it recorded almost double the cases (up 84%) and triple the financial losses (up 250%) compared to the same period in 2025.

In the same period last year, the CSA had recorded 61 cases and counted a financial loss of GHS 84,592.00; however, this year, “between January and June this year, the CSA recorded 112 cases from vendors and customers, up from 61 over the same period last year, with financial losses rising from GHS 84,592.00 to GHS 296,083.68”.

How fraudsters get their victims

These scammers replace genuine contact details of food vendors and restaurants with their numbers and other contact details. And also, these criminals sometimes “…purchase sponsored search advertisements to make the fraudulent details appear at the top of search results”.

“Fraudsters create or alter the contact details of legitimate restaurants and food vendors on Google Search and Google Maps, typically by abusing the "suggest an edit" feature, claiming "unclaimed business profiles", or creating duplicate fraudulent listings by replacing genuine phone numbers with fake ones”, CSA said.

Recommendations for restaurants, food vendors, and other online businesses

CSA advised that online vendors and restaurants should claim and verify their Google Business Profile at

take control of your listing. If an unverified profile of your business already exists, search for your business on Google Maps and select "Claim this business", then "Manage now", and complete the verification process.

“It is also advised to display your official registered contact numbers and approved payment channels (prominently on your verified website and social media pages), advise customers that you will never request their PIN or OTP, regularly review your listed phone numbers and business details, enable profile notifications, and check for suggested edits or duplicate listings of your business”, CSA continued.

Online businesses are also advised to “Report fraudulent listings, duplicate profiles, or unauthorised changes to your business information to Google through the Business Redressal Complaint Form:

form.

“The CSA has a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Point of Contact (POC) for reporting cybercrimes and for seeking guidance and assistance on online activities. Call or Text-292, WhatsApp 0501603111, Email-report@csa.gov.gh.”