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ARTICLE AD BOX
Security personnel from the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) have detained a man named Joshua Oko on suspicion of orchestrating a series of fake bank transfer scams.
According to the Daily Post, Oko targeted traders throughout Benin City, operating mainly in the Ibiwe, Upper Mission Extension, and Ikpoba Hill neighborhoods.
The suspect allegedly entered shops, made purchases without negotiating prices, and displayed counterfeit bank credit alerts before absconding with the goods.
He is also accused of using a tampered banking app on his mobile phone to create fraudulent transfer notifications that included the sellers’ account details and the supposed amounts paid.
In one incident, Oko reportedly bought two bags of rice worth N150,000 from a shop along Upper Mission Extension using the same deceptive technique.
One victim, identified only as Iyore, described how the suspect gained her trust before carrying out the scam.
“The suspect appeared calm and convincing,” Iyore, a trader, said.
She recalled that he requested bags of rice suitable for jollof rice and promised to pay via bank transfer after the items were handed over.
“He later showed me what appeared to be a successful transfer notification on his phone, but the funds never reflected in my account balance,” she added.
When she complained about the missing credit alert, the suspect blamed network delays and quickly left the shop with the goods.
Iyore also said the same suspect carried out a similar operation at another shop near Ikpoba Hill, obtaining goods through fake payment alerts.
Richard Balogun, Deputy Commander of Operations of the ESSC, confirmed the arrest and said it resulted from coordinated intelligence efforts.
Balogun reported that Oko was taken into custody at a petrol station along Upper Mission Extension during a targeted operation by security forces.
He added that the suspect has since been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
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