Mauricio Sevilla, 42, preyed on mutual connections in the food delivery industry, promising them profit shares in a new delivery app, “Time 4 Comida” that he was purportedly developing in exchange for investments, according to court documents. But once Sevilla had secured thousands of investments from six different delivery workers, he cut off communication, and this new app never materialized, complainants told prosecutors.  

“Food delivery workers trusted Mauricio Sevilla to invest their hard-earned money into a new food delivery company, only to learn that their money was stolen and the company was never created,” Bragg said. “With today’s guilty plea, these New Yorkers will get their hard-earned money back.”

Sevilla struck a deal to plead guilty in Manhattan Criminal Court to scheme to defraud in the first degree for conning about $7,500 from the six workers, according to prosecutors. But if he makes full restitution and avoids being re-arrested for a year-and-a-half, his charge can be reduced to Scheme to Defraud in the Second Degree, per the terms of his plea arrangement. 

Sevilla, through his attorney, did not have a statement when amNewYork contacted them Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Sevilla solicited investments ranging from just under $100 up to over $5,000, according to court documents. He promised workers an opportunity to earn more income for their families than their current positions with popular services like Uber Eats and DoorDash. 

Tensions between delivery workers and mainstream platforms remain high, with workers fighting for fair wages and dignified working conditions for years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizational efforts led to big wins, like large settlements from delivery apps for wage theft, safety requirements, and better working conditions.

But the ultimate win, a popular worker-owned delivery app, has yet to make meaningful inroads in NYC. This was the dream that Sevilla was selling.

Sevilla often met to discuss this “business opportunity” with delivery workers in parks across Manhattan—sometimes individually, sometimes in groups. To further legitimize his scheme, his victims said Sevilla created a Facebook page to promote the fake delivery business, which he said would cover the market of lower Manhattan and promised would outperform already established food delivery apps.

In addition to investment funds, victims were asked to pay for uniforms, application fees and subscriptions for the app’s services.

Victims sent money through Zelle and checks, prosecutors said. SEvilla began collecting fraudulent investments around September of 2021 through February of 2022, but wasn’t arrested until December 2025. The company was never created, and none of the victims received ownership shares, the uniforms they were promised or were refunded their money.

Bragg credited multiple investigators and partner organizations for their assistance, including advocates for delivery workers. He reminded New Yorkers that if they believe they’re being scammed to call the Financial Frauds Bureau at 212-335-8900.