Oshogbo Police Headquarters Explains Why Traders Should Verify Customers' Sales Transfers With Their Bank Apps
The Osun State Police Command has urged traders to verify sales
transactions using their bank apps, and explained that it is in order to prevent falling victim to
fraudulent bank alerts. This advice comes as cases of scammers using
fake bank transfer notifications to obtain goods continue to rise,
causing significant financial losses for unsuspecting business owners.
The command emphasized that direct confirmation of payments with bank
apps offers immediate and reliable proof of transaction, reducing the
chances of deception by criminals using falsified alerts.
Speaking to newsmen at the Oshogbo Police Headquarters, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Yemisi Opalola, revealed the arrest of multiple suspects linked to these fraudulent practices. In one incident on January 6, police officers, acting on a tip from the Local Hunters Group in Osogbo, intercepted individuals using fake alerts to acquire large quantities of food items, including rice and vegetable oil. The suspects were apprehended at Oke Ayepe Area, Osogbo, with three bags of rice recovered as evidence. Investigations revealed a troubling pattern: these suspects had previously been arrested in September 2024 for similar offenses, with at least 24 complaints filed against them. Despite being remanded at Ilesa Correctional Centre for two months, they resumed their fraudulent activities immediately upon being granted bail.
In another case on January 5, two suspects were detained for using an Opay ATM card to generate a fake transfer alert while purchasing clothing worth N160,000 at a boutique in Ede. Identified as Adebayo Adesanya and Olansile Abdullateef from Sagamu, Ogun State, the suspects confessed to using the fraudulent method repeatedly to deceive traders across different locations. Items seized during their arrest included four bags of imported rice, twelve tubers of yam, a bunch of bananas, three Opay debit cards, and a Toyota Venza (with registration number LAGOS BDG 710 H) used in their operations.
CSP Opalola disclosed that the suspects often employed elaborate deceptions. One posed as a lawmaker, while another acted as his security detail, adding an air of credibility to their fraudulent schemes. Their repeated offenses and swift return to criminal behavior after incarceration highlight the need for vigilance and stricter preventive measures among traders.
The police emphasized that relying solely on SMS notifications or on-the-spot verbal confirmations from customers is increasingly risky. Fraudsters manipulate technology to generate convincing but fraudulent alerts, which appear authentic to unsuspecting victims. By using bank mobile apps or online platforms, traders can independently verify that funds have been credited to their accounts before releasing goods. This simple step provides a layer of protection that can save businesses from significant financial harm.
Beyond advising traders, the Osun Police Command called for broader public awareness to combat these scams effectively. Business associations, market leaders, and financial institutions were urged to collaborate in educating their members and customers about the dangers of fake alerts and the importance of secure payment verification. Meanwhile, all suspects currently in police custody are undergoing further investigation and will be charged in court as soon as the process is concluded. The police reiterated their commitment to cracking down on financial fraud and ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.
Speaking to newsmen at the Oshogbo Police Headquarters, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Yemisi Opalola, revealed the arrest of multiple suspects linked to these fraudulent practices. In one incident on January 6, police officers, acting on a tip from the Local Hunters Group in Osogbo, intercepted individuals using fake alerts to acquire large quantities of food items, including rice and vegetable oil. The suspects were apprehended at Oke Ayepe Area, Osogbo, with three bags of rice recovered as evidence. Investigations revealed a troubling pattern: these suspects had previously been arrested in September 2024 for similar offenses, with at least 24 complaints filed against them. Despite being remanded at Ilesa Correctional Centre for two months, they resumed their fraudulent activities immediately upon being granted bail.
In another case on January 5, two suspects were detained for using an Opay ATM card to generate a fake transfer alert while purchasing clothing worth N160,000 at a boutique in Ede. Identified as Adebayo Adesanya and Olansile Abdullateef from Sagamu, Ogun State, the suspects confessed to using the fraudulent method repeatedly to deceive traders across different locations. Items seized during their arrest included four bags of imported rice, twelve tubers of yam, a bunch of bananas, three Opay debit cards, and a Toyota Venza (with registration number LAGOS BDG 710 H) used in their operations.
CSP Opalola disclosed that the suspects often employed elaborate deceptions. One posed as a lawmaker, while another acted as his security detail, adding an air of credibility to their fraudulent schemes. Their repeated offenses and swift return to criminal behavior after incarceration highlight the need for vigilance and stricter preventive measures among traders.
The police emphasized that relying solely on SMS notifications or on-the-spot verbal confirmations from customers is increasingly risky. Fraudsters manipulate technology to generate convincing but fraudulent alerts, which appear authentic to unsuspecting victims. By using bank mobile apps or online platforms, traders can independently verify that funds have been credited to their accounts before releasing goods. This simple step provides a layer of protection that can save businesses from significant financial harm.
Beyond advising traders, the Osun Police Command called for broader public awareness to combat these scams effectively. Business associations, market leaders, and financial institutions were urged to collaborate in educating their members and customers about the dangers of fake alerts and the importance of secure payment verification. Meanwhile, all suspects currently in police custody are undergoing further investigation and will be charged in court as soon as the process is concluded. The police reiterated their commitment to cracking down on financial fraud and ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.
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