Police Arrest Woman For Spreading Viral Fake OPay Shutdown Notice
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a suspect, Hafsat Abubakar, for allegedly circulating a fraudulent notice claiming that digital banking platform OPay was shutting down its operations.
The arrest, which took place on September 4, 2026, followed a rapid digital forensic investigation after the hoax went viral on social media, sparking panic among banking customers.
The Deceptive Post
According to police statements released by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu, the false communication was explicitly designed to look like an authentic corporate announcement. It featured OPay’s official logo, corporate branding, and a forged management signature.
Investigators traced the origin of the viral post to the X (formerly Twitter) handle @HAIFAH_ER_ABBA, which belonged to Abubakar Preliminary findings revealed that she subsequently shared the graphic on a second handle, @CUTE_HAFSERH, tagging prominent social media influencers to amplify its reach.
The post was accompanied by the urgent caption, “REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW.” Driven by panic, the publication rapidly gained traction, accumulating approximately 572,000 views within minutes of being posted.
Investigation and Recovered Evidence
Upon her arrest, Abubakar informed investigators that she did not create the notice but had copied it from a WhatsApp status. Cybercrime operatives recovered three Apple iPhones from her possession as exhibits.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the NPF-NCCC for their swift digital tracking. He reiterated that the police force remains heavily committed to neutralizing digital fraud, impersonation, and the malicious spread of misinformation on digital platforms.
Next Steps and Public Advisory
The police confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing to uncover the original creator of the graphic and identify any other accomplices. Abubakar and any other culpable individuals will face formal charges in court once the investigation concludes.
In light of the incident, the Nigeria Police Force has urged citizens to exercise strict caution when interacting with financial news online. Authorities advise the public to always verify alarming claims directly through an institution’s official, verified communication channels rather than relying on unverified social media posts.
