Point of Sale (POS) operator named Alfa Rafiu has been arrested by the police for allegedly spending N280 million (approximately $677,000) that was mistakenly transferred to his account by a commercial bank.
The arrest was made on Monday in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, Nigeria.
Rafiu, who is a resident of the Akuji compound in the Abayawo area of Ilorin West Local Government Area, allegedly received the alerts in batches some weeks ago, but instead of reporting the error to the bank, he went on a spending spree.
According to sources, he purchased houses and cars and sponsored people for the lesser Hajj pilgrimage. Some residents in the community were surprised about his sudden wealth as a POS operator.
One of the sources said: “But instead of him to draw the attention of the bank that mistakenly transferred the huge fund, he went on a spending spree. Rafiu bought houses, and cars and sponsored people to lesser Hajj. Although he was generous to several people in the community, some residents were surprised about his sudden wealth as a POS operator.”
The bank auditors later discovered the error and sent law enforcement agents after Rafiu. He was arrested and moved to Lagos by the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department from Alagbon-Close, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident, saying, “His arrest was carried out by the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department from Alagbon-Close, Ikoyi, Lagos which makes it out of our jurisdiction.
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The case has generated reactions on social media, with many condemning the operator’s actions and calling for strict punishment.
