Tonaton dismisses GRA's fraud accusation

One of Ghana’s largest online marketplaces, Tonaton.com, has come out to publicly dismiss claims by the Ghana Revenue Authority of its involvement in fraudulent activities.

The GRA had earlier indicated that the platform was aiding in an increase in fraudulent activities online especially in the purchase, sale and auction of cars.

The statement by Tonaton.com says that the platform is “not the only online classifieds site in Ghana and therefore cannot be singled out as done by the Ghana Revenue Authority in a manner that only suggests a personal attack on our brand and a concerted effort to defame the company's image”.

Below is the full statement by Tonaton.com Tonaton.com, Ghana's largest marketplace, has received notice of a letter today from the Ghana Revenue Authority to the media associating its fine brand with fraudulent activity involving auction cars from the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Tonaton.com would like to officially register its displeasure and discontent with the esteemed management of the Ghana Revenue Authority for issuing a press release in which the brand is named and defamed without any prior contact with the company and also for failing to provide evidence of such activity before issuing a press release naming the brand.

This is especially because Tonaton.com is not the only online classifieds site in Ghana and therefore cannot be singled out as done by the Ghana Revenue Authority in a manner that only suggests a personal attack on our brand and a concerted effort to defame the company's image.

This letter is to inform the Ghana Revenue Authority and any media house that publishes this press release naming our brand that Tonaton.com will pursue the full extent of the law should this press release go out to the local public in any forum mentioning the brand in this manner.

We trust that our company's position on this matter has been made clear and we look forward to the full cooperation of Ghana Revenue Authority and media houses.

We would also wish to state clearly that Tonaton.com recognizes the presence of fraud both offline and online in Ghana and has taken active steps to do its part to help curb fraud.

Tonaton.com is currently the only online marketplace requiring identification of ad posters on the site by means including but not limited to Voter's ID, biometric passport or in-person verification.

Furthermore, the company states categorically on the site that buyers should avoid any requests for extra fees for brokerage or import services as alluded to by the Ghana Revenue Authority in its letter.

We would therefore like to urge the media and the Ghana Revenue Authority to work in partnership with us to fight fraud by joining us to educate the public on safe practices both offline and online.