Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a female suspect notorious for scamming vendors by purchasing goods using fake and edited bank transfer receipts as proof of payment.

In a statement on X, on Saturday, the command said following her arrest, some of the items she bought through the fake method had been recovered and some of the owners had claimed their goods.

It read, “A 31-year-old woman, Freda Omakhone, has been arrested by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Edo State Police Command for multiple scams in luxury boutiques within the state metropolis. Her modus operandi was to purchase goods running into hundreds of thousands, edit bank transfer receipts to show false amounts and business names, and send them via WhatsApp. Many items including Luxury hair, kitchen utensils, luxury wears, electronics, cosmetics etc, were recovered from the suspect, and some of the owners have come forward to claim them. The suspect has since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court.’’

The command urged residents, especially business owners, to be cautious when transacting business and to always confirm payments before handing over goods to customers.

The state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, therefore implored the public, especially youths, to rather than venture into crime, seek legitimate means of earning their living because the long arm of the law would always reach every criminal.