A man dressed in a National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) uniform has been caught at Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos State, after allegedly attempting to use a fake bank transfer alert to purchase an iPhone XR.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 3, when the man visited a phone dealer at the popular Ikeja technology market to purchase the device.
According to the seller, the suspect presented what appeared to be a bank transfer alert as proof of payment. However, the transaction was reportedly not reflected in the seller’s account, raising suspicion.
The seller subsequently asked the man to demonstrate how he allegedly generated the fake alert, apparently to expose the method and warn other traders against similar scams.
In a video circulating online, the seller was also seen going through the man’s transaction history and allegedly discovering several payment receipts involving different individuals.
The seller claimed that some of the transactions dated back to last year, suggesting that the man may have been involved in similar alleged fake-alert transactions before the incident at Computer Village.
The incident has renewed concerns among traders and customers over the use of fake payment alerts in electronic transactions, with sellers urged to confirm actual credit into their accounts before releasing goods.
However, authorities have yet to issue an official statement confirming the man’s identity, NYSC status, arrest or custody, or the outcome of any investigation into the allegation.