The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the creation and circulation of a forged document claiming that popular fintech company OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.
The suspect was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre following a petition submitted by OPay requesting an investigation into the origin and circulation of the fraudulent notice.
The police said the petition was received on August 31, 2026, through the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja. Following the complaint, investigators deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and trace its source...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
According to the police, the investigation led officers to a post on an X account allegedly registered and operated by Abubakar. The suspect was subsequently arrested on September 4, 2026.
Abubakar, a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is alleged to have been connected to the creation or circulation of the document that was falsely presented as an official communication from OPay.
The forged notice claimed that OPay would stop processing transactions and account services indefinitely from September 1, 2026. The message generated widespread attention on social media and raised concerns among customers who depend on the platform for payments, transfers and other financial transactions.
OPay had earlier dismissed the shutdown notice as false and assured customers that its services remained operational. The company also identified several inconsistencies in the document, including an outdated logo, an incorrect spelling of its brand name and a design that did not correspond with its official communications.
The development has highlighted the growing concerns surrounding fabricated digital information and the potential consequences of spreading false claims about major financial and technology companies.
Authorities warned that misleading information about financial institutions and digital payment platforms can create unnecessary panic, disrupt transactions and damage the reputation of businesses. Such information can also cause customers to make decisions based on false assumptions, particularly when the claims spread rapidly across social media platforms.
The police have advised members of the public to verify sensitive information through official channels before sharing it online. The authorities stressed that information appearing on social media should not automatically be regarded as genuine, particularly when it concerns the closure of a financial service or major changes to banking and payment operations.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the police saying that anyone found culpable after the completion of the investigation will face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The arrest comes as authorities continue to intensify efforts to track individuals involved in the creation and circulation of fabricated digital content, particularly information capable of causing public panic, financial disruption or reputational damage.
For OPay customers, the development serves as a reminder to rely on the company’s verified communication platforms for important announcements rather than unverified messages circulating through social media and messaging applications.
