News Summary
Sayee Chaitanya Reddy Devagiri, a former DoorDash driver, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after illegally obtaining over $2.5 million by manipulating customer orders. The fraudulent activities occurred between 2020 and 2021, leading to his arrest and charges against him and co-defendants. Devagiri faces a potential 20-year prison sentence and a hefty fine, highlighting ongoing concerns about fraud in the food delivery sector.
California
Sayee Chaitanya Reddy Devagiri, a 30-year-old former DoorDash driver, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal court located in San Jose. The guilty plea was entered on Tuesday, marking a significant step in a case involving fraudulent activities that attempted to steal over $2.5 million from the popular food delivery service.
The fraudulent scheme unfolded between 2020 and 2021 while Devagiri was employed as a driver for DoorDash, which is headquartered in San Francisco. Following an indictment by a federal grand jury in August 2024, Devagiri has become the third defendant to be convicted in connection with this case.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Devagiri’s operation involved placing high-priced orders using the credentials of DoorDash customers. He accessed the company’s software unlawfully, using an employee’s credentials, to manipulate the orders by reassigning them to driver accounts that he controlled. By intricately marking these orders as completed in DoorDash’s system, he triggered payments for deliveries that never occurred.
The methodology of the fraud was notably efficient; Devagiri could execute this process in under five minutes for each order. After reporting the nonexistent deliveries, he reverted the order status back to “in process” to perform the scheme repeatedly, potentially hundreds of times for numerous orders.
As a result of these actions, the total fraudulent payments made to Devagiri by DoorDash exceeded $2.5 million, highlighting the extensive nature of his fraudulent operations.
Arrest and Co-Defendants
Devagiri was arrested on October 4, 2024, alongside three co-defendants: Manaswi Mandadapu and Tyler Thomas Bottenhorn. Mandadapu entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on May 6, 2025, while Bottenhorn, who had a brief employment with DoorDash in 2020, pleaded guilty to a separate charge in November 2023.
Potential Sentencing
Devagiri is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and could also incur a fine of up to $250,000. His next court status hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2025, where further legal proceedings will unfold.
Context of DoorDash and Fraud Schemes
DoorDash, a widely recognized food delivery service allowing customers to order meals from myriad restaurants via its platform, has been challenged by instances of fraud as its business model expands. This case reflects ongoing concerns about cybersecurity and fraudulent schemes targeting online businesses, underscoring the necessity for stringent security measures to protect both customers and corporate interests.
The actions of individuals like Devagiri emphasize the potential vulnerabilities within these systems and the dire need for vigilance in protecting against fraudulent activities. This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that fraudulent behavior can entail, not just for the individuals involved, but also for the companies affected and the broader delivery service industry as a whole.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Al Jazeera
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- ABC News
- Google Search: DoorDash fraud
- CBS News
- Google Scholar: DoorDash fraud
- KTVU
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wire Fraud
- NewsBreak
- Google News: DoorDash driver schemes
