The Rivers State Police Command has issued a warning against the growing practice of women accepting transport money from men for outings but failing to appear, stressing that it constitutes a criminal offence.

Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, speaking in a video that circulated on X on Wednesday, explained that the act amounts to fraud and could attract legal consequences.

“Why would you collect money from a man and not go to see him? It is an offence, a punishable offence. It is obtaining money under false pretence — 419,” she said.

She emphasized that such behavior falls under the crime of obtaining by false pretence, adding that offenders risk arrest and prosecution if complaints are reported to the police.

Iringe-Koko also advised the public to steer clear of dishonest financial dealings.