Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, for allegedly fabricating and circulating a forged document claiming that fintech company OPay Nigeria Limited was winding down its operations.
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The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the arrest during a press briefing at the NPF-NCCC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Iniedu stated that the investigation was launched following a formal petition submitted on August 31, 2026, by OPay Digital Services Limited through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID). The petition requested an immediate forensic investigation and the apprehension of individuals behind the fraudulent letter, which was disguised as an official press release from the financial institution.
Following the deployment of digital forensic tools to trace the origin of the document, police operatives tracked down and arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026.
The FPRO emphasized that the case highlights the growing threat of digitally fabricated misinformation, warning that such false reports can trigger widespread public panic, financial instability, and severe reputational harm to corporate entities.
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