Cybercrime operatives in Nigeria have arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, for allegedly creating and circulating a forged document claiming fintech firm OPay was shutting down its operations.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Force Public Relations Officer Anietie Iniedu said the arrest followed a petition submitted by OPay Digital Services Limited on 31 August.
Digital forensic investigations traced the fraudulent notice—which falsely announced that OPay would cease processing transactions indefinitely from 1 September—to an account on the social media platform X registered to Ms. Abubakar. She was subsequently arrested on 4 September.
Police identified Ms. Abubakar as a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
OPay had previously dismissed the viral letter as “completely false,” pointing out several inconsistencies, including an outdated logo and spelling errors.
Mr. Iniedu warned against spreading unverified digital information, noting that fabricated content targeting financial institutions can trigger public panic and cause severe economic disruption. He added that investigations are ongoing and those found culpable will be prosecuted.
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