Fake Police Officer Arrested for Defrauding PoS Operators in Nigeria

The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended 25-year-old Bukola Olabode for allegedly defrauding Point of Sale (PoS) operators and residents in Ihunbo, Ipokia Local Government Area, while posing as a police officer. According to Punch Metro, Olabode was caught on Tuesday by local residents and handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who later transferred him to the police at the Idiroko Division.

The suspect’s method of operation involved wearing a police camouflage shirt and jeans while using PoS machines to conduct fraudulent transactions. His ruse was uncovered when he attempted a scam at the PoS stand of an operator, Mary Midoyin. Upon detection, Olabode fled, but residents quickly pursued and caught him.

Police spokesperson Odutola confirmed the details, explaining that Olabode had stolen N60,000 from Midoyin by making a fake transfer before fleeing. A subsequent search of the suspect revealed a Samsung phone, a black Itel phone used in the scam, a police constabulary warrant card, and a T-shirt.

Olabode has confessed to defrauding several PoS operators in the community and is now in police custody. This case mirrors a similar incident from 2022 when another man, Akinyemi Thomas, was arrested for impersonating a police officer.