One Lie Can Turn Your Debt Into A Crime, Legal Experts Warn
IN the eyes of the law, a disagreement over money or property starts as a civil matter—but a single lie can instantly escalate it into a criminal offense. Legal practitioners are raising alarms about how everyday disputes over debts, refunds, or failed business deals can spiral into criminal liability through deception.
The offence, known as “Obtaining by False Pretense,” occurs when someone knowingly misrepresents facts to gain money, property, or any tangible benefit. “A civil dispute becomes criminal the moment deceit enters the transaction,” explains a legal analyst.
Common scenarios illustrate this sharp legal shift: claiming a family emergency to secure a loan that doesn’t exist, submitting fake transfer alerts or receipts, or presenting false collateral to obtain credit. Even promising repayment when the borrower has no means to honor it is considered deception.
The law treats motive seriously. Altering your story after collecting money—claiming it was for a different purpose—signals intentional fraud. Unlike civil disputes, fraud is not negotiable and carries serious consequences, including arrest and prosecution.
Experts urge Nigerians to exercise caution. “Many are unknowingly sitting on criminal cases because of one careless lie told just to collect money,” a lawyer notes. The takeaway is clear: honesty in financial and contractual dealings is not only ethical—it is legally protective.
