Edo police arrest suspected fake transfer fraudster in Benin

Security operatives in Edo State have arrested a man identified as Joshua Oko over his alleged involvement in a series of fake bank transfer scams targeting traders in parts of Benin City.

The suspect was alleged to have operated across commercial areas including Ibiwe, Upper Mission Extension and Ikpoba-Hill, where he reportedly purchased goods from unsuspecting traders using falsified bank payment alerts before fleeing with the items.

Findings revealed that Oko allegedly used a manipulated banking application on his mobile phone to generate fake transfer notifications bearing victims’ account details alongside purported payment amounts.

In one of the reported incidents, the suspect allegedly visited a shop along Upper Mission Extension and obtained two bags of rice valued at N150,000 after presenting what appeared to be a successful bank transfer alert.

One of the victims, identified simply as Iyore, recounted how the suspect allegedly gained her confidence before carrying out the transaction.

According to her, the suspect appeared calm and convincing, requesting bags of rice suitable for jollof rice preparation while insisting he would pay through bank transfer.

“He later showed me what appeared to be a successful transfer notification on his phone, but the money never reflected in my account,” she said.

Iyore explained that when she complained about the delayed credit alert, the suspect blamed network issues before leaving the shop with the goods.

She further alleged that the same individual carried out a similar operation at another shop around Ikpoba-Hill, where traders were also reportedly deceived through fake payment alerts.

Confirming the arrest, the Deputy Corps Commander of Operations, Edo State Security Corps, Richard Balogun, disclosed that the suspect was apprehended following coordinated intelligence efforts by security operatives.

Balogun said Oko was arrested at a petrol station along Upper Mission Extension during a targeted operation and has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.