Authorities in Osun State have recently apprehended four individuals who are suspected of orchestrating a scam involving fraudulent bank transaction alerts to acquire food supplies and retail goods from unsuspecting sellers. This type of digital scam, which has become more widespread with the increased use of mobile banking and electronic payments in Nigeria and across West Africa, has put small businesses and informal traders at heightened risk, especially in bustling markets and local communities.
Addressing the issue during a media briefing at the Osogbo Police Headquarters, spokesperson CSP Yemisi Opalola shared details of two separate incidents in Ede and Osogbo. According to Opalola, four suspects were apprehended while allegedly using manipulated digital transaction alerts to deceive local traders and obtain goods without genuine payment.
“On Friday, at about 8:30 p.m., we received a distress call about two young men entering a boutique at Agip Area of Ede. They made purchases totalling N160,000, claiming to have paid with a digital transfer using an Opay ATM card—but the alert provided was fake,” Opalola relayed to the press.
Upon receiving the report, police officers promptly intervened and arrested the two suspects, who both reportedly reside in Oba Akarigbo Area, Sagamu in neighbouring Ogun State. Preliminary investigations suggest these individuals have been systematically deceiving vendors by exploiting payment technology to create the appearance of legitimate transactions.
“In their confessions, the suspects admitted to originating from Ogun State and to scamming traders in Osun using fake mobile transfer notifications on Opay ATM cards,” the police spokesperson stated. This tactic, which leverages common digital payment channels, is becoming a growing concern for business owners in Nigeria and the wider region.
During the arrest, police reportedly recovered several items linked to their fraudulent activities, including four bags of imported rice, twelve large yams, a bunch of bananas, three OPAY debit cards, and a Toyota Venza (number plate LAGOS BDG 710 H) which the suspects allegedly used for their movements and operations.
Additionally, Opalola noted the arrest in Osogbo of a 54-year-old man and a 37-year-old accomplice, who were caught after allegedly using similar fake alerts to acquire rice and vegetable oil from local traders. Incidents like this are particularly damaging to small-scale business owners who often operate on narrow margins and rely heavily on trust-based transactions.
“On January 6 at 6:45 p.m., the DPO in Osogbo was alerted by the Local Hunters Group to the presence of suspects making large purchases using false payment evidence. Police detectives from the Anti-Cultism Unit quickly apprehended them at Oke Ayepe Area; three bags of rice were seized as evidence,” she revealed.
Further investigation reportedly uncovered that the two men had a prior history with law enforcement. According to authorities, the same suspects had been arrested months earlier, in September 2024, following complaints from no fewer than 24 separate victims about related scams. They were prosecuted and remanded at Ilesa Correctional Centre for two months.
“Regrettably, the very day they were granted court bail in November, they repeated the same offence—again targeting traders with fake payment alerts to purchase food staples,” Opalola reported. She highlighted the tendency of repeat offenders to return to these illicit activities, posing ongoing challenges for law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
“One of the suspects falsely portrays himself as a lawmaker, while his partner claims to be his bodyguard from the Department of State Services (DSS),” she continued, emphasizing the deceptive lengths to which some fraudsters go in trying to gain merchants’ trust.
Advice to traders was also a key part of the police announcement. The command encouraged business owners to always independently verify electronic transfers using their bank apps before handing over goods, especially to unfamiliar customers. While digital payments offer convenience, these events underscore the importance of extra vigilance amid ongoing scams.
In a related development, the Osun Police Command announced that three individuals belonging to a group known as the Action Boxing Training Club—which authorities allege is an unlawful society—were also arrested at a hideout on January 5. According to the police, efforts to clamp down on suspected cult or gang-related activities remain a priority as communities grapple with rising crime rates.
Meanwhile, the state command reported the detention of a 22-year-old man, who stands accused of inappropriate conduct involving a minor, following a complaint made by the victim’s mother. Such cases are deeply sensitive, with police urging the public to report suspicious activities and promising a thorough, discreet investigation. According to Opalola, the suspect was apprehended after the concerned mother responded to her daughter’s distress and discovered injuries, which were reported to authorities.
“The mother was preparing for the day when she heard her daughter’s cry. Investigating, she found the injuries and the child informed her of the suspect’s alleged actions,” Opalola told the press.
All suspects, according to the Osun Police Command, will be charged in court upon completion of ongoing investigations. The police urge members of the public to be vigilant, maintain transparency in their transactions, and support efforts to curb crime by promptly reporting suspicious incidents to law enforcement agencies.
These recent incidents in Osun State reflect broader challenges faced by communities across Nigeria and West Africa. As society becomes increasingly cashless, opportunities for digital fraud and impersonation rise—posing new threats that require awareness, community resilience, and adaptive security practices. According to local analyst Femi Asaju, “Merchant education and swift response by authorities are vital steps, but systemic reforms such as stricter digital payment controls and better legal deterrents will help stem these crimes at the root.”
Neighbouring countries like Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal have also seen a growth in mobile money fraud, prompting renewed calls for collaboration between banks, fintech firms, and law enforcement across West Africa. The Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) reported that over N5 billion was lost to electronic payment fraud in the first half of the previous year alone—a sobering figure that underlines the need for collective action and robust safeguards for both businesses and consumers.
With the trust economy so central to African societies and informal markets, protecting traders and everyday buyers from scams is not only about financial security but also about safeguarding livelihoods and social stability.
How vigilant are your local markets when handling digital transactions? What practical steps should communities and authorities take to better protect consumers and traders from scams like these? Share your insights and join the conversation below.
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