FAKE OPay SHUTDOWN ALERT: POLICE ARREST 27-YEAR-OLD WOMAN OVER FINTECH PANIC

A fabricated shutdown notice targeting OPay has triggered a cybercrime investigation, exposing how fake digital communications can be weaponised to create financial panic and undermine confidence in fintech platforms.

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged creation and circulation of a forged document claiming that OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.

The arrest followed a petition submitted by OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026, requesting an investigation into the source and circulation of the document, according to the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu.

Police said the NCCC deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and trace its origin to an X account operated by Abubakar. She was subsequently arrested on September 4

The forged document, presented as an official OPay communication, claimed the fintech would stop processing transactions and account-related services from September 1. The message also urged customers to withdraw their funds, creating the potential for panic withdrawals and disruption to customer confidence.

OPay had already dismissed the shutdown claim as false, pointing to inconsistencies in the document, including an outdated logo, a misspelt brand name and a format inconsistent with its official communications. The company also said it was working with the police and the Department of State Services to identify those behind the misinformation.

The incident highlights a growing compliance risk for fintechs, where fabricated corporate communications can become more than a reputational problem. False shutdown notices can trigger customer withdrawals, liquidity pressure, fraud attempts and wider disruption across digital payment ecosystems.

The police said the investigation remains ongoing and warned the public against circulating unverified financial information.