December 30, 2025 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
The Rivers State Police Command has issued a stern warning to members of the public—particularly young women—against the practice of collecting transport fare from suitors or acquaintances and deliberately failing to honour the agreed meeting, describing the act as a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
The warning was issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, via a statement shared on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to the police spokesperson, receiving money under the guise of attending a meeting, outing or appointment and intentionally failing to show up amounts to obtaining money under false pretence, an offence popularly known as “419.”
SP Iringe-Koko stressed that such actions are not merely social misconduct but fall squarely within the provisions of Nigerian criminal law and could attract prosecution if reported by the affected party.
“Collecting transport fare from a guy and refusing to show up is obtaining money under false pretence,” she stated. “It is an offence punishable under the law.”
The statement has triggered widespread reactions across social media platforms, with Nigerians engaging in heated debates over the legal, moral and social implications of the practice, which many often trivialise or joke about online.
While some users applauded the police for drawing attention to what they described as everyday fraud, others raised concerns about enforcement and the broader social realities surrounding relationships and informal financial exchanges.
Nevertheless, SP Iringe-Koko maintained that the warning serves as a reminder that seemingly casual interpersonal actions—both online and offline—can carry serious legal consequences.
She urged members of the public to conduct their personal relationships and financial dealings with honesty and responsibility, adding that the police would not hesitate to investigate and act on credible complaints.
The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating all forms of fraud and protecting citizens, stressing that no offence is too small to be addressed under the law.
