News Summary
Sayee Chaitanya Reddy Devagiri, a 30-year-old from Newport Beach, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for defrauding DoorDash of over $2.5 million. In collaboration with co-conspirators and a former employee, the group exploited DoorDash’s software system by placing fraudulent high-value orders. The case highlights vulnerabilities in the food delivery sector and the growing concerns regarding cyber fraud as more people rely on online services.
California – Sayee Chaitanya Reddy Devagiri, a 30-year-old man from Newport Beach, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, following his involvement in a scheme that defrauded the food delivery company DoorDash of over $2.5 million. This guilty plea was entered in a San Jose court on May 13, 2025.
The fraudulent activities, which occurred between November 2020 and February 2021, were orchestrated in collaboration with three co-conspirators and a former DoorDash employee. Devagiri, who worked as a DoorDash delivery driver, was part of a group that implemented a sophisticated operation to exploit the company’s software system.
According to court documents, the conspirators placed high-value orders on the DoorDash app using fraudulent customer accounts. They gained access to the company’s proprietary software by using credentials obtained from the former employee, allowing them to manipulate orders. This included manually reassigning orders and altering the status of deliveries, falsely indicating that items had been delivered when they had not, which triggered unauthorized payments.
The technical manipulation employed by the group was quick and efficient, reportedly taking less than five minutes to execute for each order. This process was repeated hundreds of times across various transactions involving significant sums of money.
Devagiri, alongside his co-defendants – Manaswi Mandadapu, 29; Matheus Duarte, 29; and Hari Vamsi Anne, 30 – was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2024. They were apprehended on October 4, 2024, and all faced charges related to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Since the indictment, there have been developments in the case. Co-defendant Mandaswi Mandadapu pleaded guilty to the same charge on May 6, 2025. Furthermore, Tyler Thomas Bottenhorn, the DoorDash employee who facilitated access to the system, acknowledged his role by pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in November 2023.
As a result of these fraudulent activities, Devagiri is potentially facing a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of $250,000. A status hearing for his case is set for September 16, 2025.
The fraudulent scheme was primarily operational in Northern California, particularly in Santa Clara County, where the group processed hundreds of illicit payments that were deposited into accounts they controlled.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities in the food delivery sector regarding payment systems and account security, particularly as more individuals turn to online services for convenience. DoorDash has not issued a public statement regarding the ongoing legal proceedings but continues to strengthen its measures to prevent fraud within its platform.
The seriousness of the case and the significant amounts involved underline the ongoing concerns about cyber fraud and the need for robust security protocols in the digital economy. As developments continue to unfold, the legal repercussions for those involved remain a focal point for both law enforcement and the tech industry alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CBS News
- Los Angeles Times
- USA Today
- San Francisco Chronicle
- MSN News
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Google Search: Food Delivery Fraud
- Google Scholar: Cyber Fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- Google News: DoorDash Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
