Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a young woman in the Choba area of Port Harcourt over allegations of defrauding female business owners through fake bank transfer alerts. The suspect, whose identity has not been officially released by the police as of Tuesday, July 28, 2026, was apprehended following complaints from multiple victims who reported that they had been deceived into releasing goods and cash after receiving falsified payment notifications.
According to sources close to the investigation, the suspect allegedly targeted female entrepreneurs operating small-scale businesses in the Choba and surrounding areas of the Rivers State capital. Her modus operandi reportedly involved approaching shop owners, food vendors, and traders, selecting items or services, and then initiating a bank transfer using a mobile device. She would then show the seller a fabricated payment alert, often generated through unofficial applications or manipulated SMS messages, as proof of payment. In many cases, the victims, trusting the visible alert, would release the goods or provide change in cash, only to later discover that no funds had actually been credited to their accounts.
The arrest was carried out by operatives from the Choba Police Division following a series of complaints lodged by affected business owners over the past weeks. One of the victims, a female trader who spoke on condition of anonymity, told journalists that she had lost goods worth several hundred thousand naira to the suspect after being shown a convincing payment alert. "She came to my shop, selected items, and showed me a transfer notification on her phone. I checked my own phone and did not see the credit immediately, but she insisted it would reflect soon. I trusted her and let her go. When the money never came, I realised I had been scammed," the trader said.
The suspect is believed to have operated with accomplices who may have helped her generate the fake alerts or provided logistical support during the transactions. However, the police have not confirmed whether any other individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The Rivers State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement detailing the suspect's arrest, the number of victims involved, or the total value of goods and cash allegedly obtained through the fraudulent scheme. Efforts to reach the Command's Public Relations Officer for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.
The incident has reignited concerns among small business owners in Port Harcourt about the prevalence of fake bank transfer scams, which have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years. Fraudsters have exploited the reliance of traders on mobile banking alerts, using readily available applications that generate realistic-looking payment notifications. Many victims, particularly those who operate in busy markets or lack immediate access to banking apps for real-time balance confirmation, have fallen prey to these schemes, suffering significant financial losses.
The Choba area, home to a large student population and numerous commercial activities, has been identified as a hotspot for such fraudulent activities. The proximity of the University of Port Harcourt and several other tertiary institutions has made the area a prime target for scammers who prey on unsuspecting traders and students. The arrest of the female suspect is seen as a welcome development by residents and business owners, who have called for more proactive policing and public awareness campaigns to combat the growing menace of fake transfer fraud.
Security analysts have advised business owners to adopt stricter verification measures before concluding transactions. Recommendations include waiting for actual credit confirmations via banking apps rather than relying solely on SMS alerts, using Point of Sale (POS) terminals for instant payment confirmation, and avoiding rushed transactions where customers insist on quick service after showing a transfer notification. Some experts have also suggested that financial institutions and telecommunications companies should work together to develop more secure payment verification systems that make it harder for fraudsters to manipulate alerts.
The suspect is expected to be charged to court once investigations are completed, as the police continue to gather evidence and identify other possible victims. The case highlights the broader challenge of financial fraud in Nigeria, where digital payment systems, while revolutionary, have also created new opportunities for criminals. As the Rivers State Police Command intensifies its efforts to curb such activities, residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious transactions to the nearest police station. The arrest of the female suspect in Choba serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that the long arm of justice will eventually catch up with those who seek to defraud hardworking Nigerians.
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