Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

(Hafsat Abubakar. Photo by X/The Nigeria Lawyer)

The Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre has arrested a 27-year-old woman for creating and spreading a forged document claiming that OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down.

Hafsat Abubakar was arrested after OPay submitted a formal complaint on August 31 seeking an investigation into the fake document.

The fake notice was designed to look like an official communication from the fintech company and claimed that OPay would stop processing transactions and providing services from September 1.

Police used digital forensic tools to trace the fraudulent document to an online account registered under Abubakar's name.

She was arrested on September 4.

The false document circulated widely on social media, causing public concern about the company's operations.

OPay later dismissed the claims as completely false and said the company remained fully operational.

The company identified several problems with the fake notice, including an outdated logo, a misspelled brand name and a format that did not match OPay's official communications.

OPay's legal counsel said the company was working with security agencies to investigate how the false document was created.

The company also warned that anyone deliberately spreading false information about its operations could face legal action.

Police said the incident shows the dangers of fabricated information, especially when false claims about a major financial institution can cause public panic, disrupt financial activity and damage a company's reputation.

The public was urged to verify information through official channels before sharing it.

Investigation into the matter continues and anyone found responsible will be prosecuted.