The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre arrested a 27-year-old woman over a fake notice claiming OPay would shut down in Nigeria.
The suspect, identified as Hafsat Abubakar, was arrested on September 4 following a complaint by the fintech company over the circulation of the fraudulent document.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, OPay petitioned the police on August 31 through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.
The company asked the police to investigate and identify those responsible for creating and circulating a document designed to appear as an official OPay communication.
The fake notice claimed that OPay would stop processing transactions and account-related services from September 1, 2026.
It also urged customers to withdraw their money from the platform to avoid being affected by the purported shutdown.
OPay subsequently dismissed the notice as false, assuring customers that its services remained fully operational.
The company said the document contained several indications that it was not genuine, including the use of an outdated logo, an incorrect spelling of the brand name and a design that did not correspond with its official communication materials.
Following the complaint, OPay said it was working with law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to establish the source of the false information and identify those behind its circulation.
The police said investigators at the National Cybercrime Centre subsequently deployed digital forensic tools to examine the fraudulent document and trace its origin.
According to Iniedu, the investigation eventually led officers to an X account identified as @Hafsat_ER_ABBA.
The police said the account was registered and operated by Abubakar, who was subsequently arrested on September 4.
The Force also identified Abubakar as a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Police investigators are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the creation and circulation of the document, including whether the suspect acted alone or whether other individuals were involved.
The case also highlights the growing role of digital forensics in investigating online offences, particularly as social media platforms continue to play a major role in the rapid spread of information.
In this case, the fake shutdown notice specifically directed OPay customers to withdraw their funds, potentially creating panic among users and disrupting confidence in the platform.
Beyond the potential financial impact, the circulation of fabricated corporate communications can also damage the reputation of companies and create unnecessary uncertainty for customers, employees and business partners.
The police have not said whether Abubakar has been formally charged or what specific offences she may face.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the Force saying anyone found culpable will be prosecuted after the conclusion of the investigation.
