How A ‘Small Transport Fare’ Can Become A Big Criminal Case: Inside Nigeria’s Hidden Offence Of False Pretence
The Hidden Crime Behind “Send Me Transport”: An Investigative Dive into Nigeria’s Most Casual Fraud
ACROSS Nigeria, the phrase “Send me transport” has become one of the most casually used lines in daily interactions. It shows up in friendships, online relationships, business meetings, job interviews, and even family exchanges. Most people treat it as harmless—a routine request, a small gesture, a token of convenience. But beneath the surface lies a legal time bomb that many Nigerians have unknowingly triggered.
An investigation into police case files, criminal court proceedings, and interviews with legal practitioners reveals an uncomfortable truth: that tiny ₦2,000, ₦5,000, or ₦10,000 collected under the guise of “transport money” can legally amount to a criminal offence known as Obtaining by False Pretence (OBFP).
This discovery has shocked many first-time offenders who found themselves inside police stations or courtrooms over amounts they considered “too small to cause trouble.” But under Nigerian law, the size of the money is irrelevant.
What matters is the intention behind taking it.
The Legal Trap People Fall Into Without Knowing
Transport money, in law, is not a gift, not a dash, not free cash. It is purpose money—funds given for a specific, clearly communicated objective: to enable movement.
Lawyers describe it as a conditional transaction—you receive the money because you have represented that you will travel, appear somewhere, or meet someone.
But if, at the moment you collected that money, you had no intention of fulfilling the purpose, the law interprets your action as deception. Add deception to financial gain, and you have a criminal offence.
The Criminal Code and Penal Code call it Obtaining by False Pretence. It carries the possibility of years of imprisonment.
According to officers familiar with such cases, many young Nigerians mistakenly treat the issue as “banter” or “cruise” until the police become involved.
When a Chat Message Becomes Evidence of Crime
Investigators say digital footprints—WhatsApp messages, Instagram DMs, text messages, screenshots—often form the backbone of prosecution.
If you told someone:
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“I’m coming, send transport,”
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“My ride spoilt, please send money, I’m on the way,”
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“I just need small fare to reach you,”
—yet you knew you were not going anywhere, the law sees it as a deliberate false representation.
And prosecutors say the behaviour becomes even clearer when:
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You ghost the person,
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You suddenly stop replying,
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You block them,
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You start giving flimsy excuses,
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You collect from several people at the same time.
Each of these actions strengthens the evidence of intent to deceive.
Police Stations Are Seeing These Cases More Often
Interviews with police officers show an increasing trend: men and women reporting cases where someone took transport money and disappeared.
Many complainants say it’s not about the amount—it’s the principle and the sense of being manipulated.
Officers say the procedure is straightforward:
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The person who collected the money is invited.
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Statements are taken.
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If deception is established, a case file is opened.
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Refund may be compelled, but that does not kill the criminal offence.
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The person can be charged to court.
Bail conditions follow. A criminal record may result. All over an amount that was once described as “just transport.”
Why the Law Is This Strict
Legal analysts explain that OBFP exists to protect people from being tricked. The crime is the lie, not the amount. Even N500 can satisfy the legal definition if deceit is proven.
In cases reviewed for this story, many offenders admitted they:
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Asked for transport just to “test” someone’s seriousness,
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Never intended to leave the house,
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Wanted to “cash out small,”
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Were just “playing,”
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Collected from multiple people to maximize gain.
Legally, those intentions are enough to satisfy the elements of fraud—even when the recipient insists it was “just play.”
The Offenders Are Not Who You Think
One senior police investigator described the profile of typical offenders:
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Young people in online relationships,
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Social media acquaintances,
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Job seekers,
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People arranging meet-ups,
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Casual friends “testing loyalty,”
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Students.
Many are shocked to discover that “I was just joking” is not a legal defence.
In one Lagos case reviewed for this report, a woman collected transport money from three men on the same day, promising each of them she was already on her way. When all three reported the matter independently, investigators discovered a pattern—and she faced full OBFP charges.
The Moment Transport Money Becomes a Crime
These four conditions trigger the offence:
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Someone gives you money for a specific purpose—transport.
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You collect it.
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You fail to fulfill the purpose.
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You never intended to fulfill the purpose from the beginning.
Once those elements align, a criminal offence is complete—even without confrontation, violence, or threats.
“It’s Just 3k” Won’t Save You
The law does not care:
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How small the money is
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Whether the giver “didn’t mind”
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Whether it happened online or offline
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Whether the two of you were friends
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Whether you’ve been talking for years
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Whether the giver has money to spare
What matters is false representation.
A prosecutor put it this way: “If you collected money based on a lie, the offence is complete. The amount is irrelevant.”
Why Nigerians Must Take This Seriously
As more interactions move online, digital deception cases are rising. Transport-money fraud may be small in cash value, but large in emotional impact.
Experts warn:
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One wrong request,
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One dishonest chat,
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One moment of “let me just collect it,”
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One lie told casually,
…can trigger a criminal process that reshapes your entire future.
It may start with ₦2,000. It may end with a police statement, court appearance, and a criminal record.
Avoid Trouble—It’s Simple
If you know you are not going anywhere, Do. Not. Collect. Transport. Money.
What looks small to you might be the beginning of a very big legal problem.
