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 fintech company OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.

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

Iniedu disclosed the development during a press briefing at the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the police, the document was falsely presented as an official communication from OPay and contained information suggesting that the company would cease its operations.

The NPF-NCCC subsequently deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and trace its source.

The police said the investigation linked the material to a post on an X account allegedly registered and operated by Abubakar.

She was arrested by NCCC operatives on September 4.

Police identified Abubakar as a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, but stressed that the investigation remains ongoing.

The arrest came after a fake notice claiming that OPay would shut down its operations went viral online.

OPay subsequently denied the claim and advised customers to rely on the company’s official communication channels for information about its services.

The incident highlights the potential consequences of fabricated digital communications involving banks, fintech companies and other financial institutions.

A false announcement about the closure or suspension of a financial service can cause customers to panic, attempt to withdraw funds unnecessarily or share misleading information with other users.

The police said digitally fabricated information can potentially trigger public panic, financial disruption and reputational damage.

The OPay incident also illustrates how quickly false financial information can circulate through social media and messaging platforms.

Fraudulent notices often appear convincing because they are designed to resemble genuine corporate announcements. Once posted publicly, users may repost or forward them without checking whether the information came from the company itself.

In the case investigated by the police, authorities said digital forensic examination helped trace the disputed document to its alleged source.

The development underscores the importance of verifying financial information before acting on it.

When a message claims that a bank, fintech company or payment platform is shutting down, suspending accounts or asking customers to take urgent action, users should first check the company’s verified website and official social-media accounts.

Customers should also avoid forwarding unverified financial alerts, particularly when the information could cause others to make financial decisions based on false information.

The police have warned members of the public against creating or circulating fabricated digital content capable of causing panic or financial disruption.

The NPF-NCCC said the investigation into the OPay case is continuing and that anyone found culpable would face prosecution after the conclusion of the investigation.

The case demonstrates the growing challenge posed by digitally fabricated information in Nigeria’s increasingly digital financial environment, where a misleading post can reach thousands of people before its authenticity is established.