Police warn of rising fraud schemes targeting POS operators in Kwara State

Crime Diary

ILORIN, Nigeria (NPA) — The Kwara State Police Command has issued an alert over increasing fraudulent schemes targeting Point‑of‑Sale (POS) operators and financial service providers across the state.

In a statement signed by SP Adetoun Ejire‑Adeyemi, Police Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, on April 27, 2026, the Command revealed that criminal elements suspected to be operating across state lines are engaging POS agents in transactions involving unusually large sums of money, often running into millions of naira, under the guise of money transfers.

According to the police, these transactions are processed with small commissions, making unsuspecting POS operators complicit in illicit financial activities. In several cases, agents have later been subjected to interrogation or arrest by law enforcement from other jurisdictions, as the supposed senders or recipients of funds remain untraceable.

Advertisement

The Commissioner of Police strongly advised POS operators to exercise extreme caution when handling large transactions, particularly with unfamiliar customers. Operators are directed to promptly report any suspicious or high‑value transactions to the nearest police station before completion, to enable verification of the source and legitimacy of funds.

The Command assured the public of its commitment to work closely with financial service stakeholders to curb fraudulent practices and safeguard the integrity of financial transactions across Kwara State.