A Nasarawa State resident, Ruth Alobo, has recounted how an unknown individual deceived her into transferring N73,000 to a United Bank for Africa (UBA) account belonging to John Gershinen after posing as her sibling.
Upon reporting the fraudulent transaction, Alobo was informed by UBA that the money had already been cashed out. Meanwhile, the recipient has remained unreachable.
Alobo explained that the incident began on April 19, 2025, when she dialed an incorrect phone number while attempting to coordinate the purchase of local oil with her brother. Rather than clarifying the misdial, the recipient assumed her brother’s identity. Convinced she was dealing with family, she made three separate deposits of N43,000, N20,000, and N10,000 into Gershinen’s UBA account.
The deception unraveled when the stranger asked for another N4,000 to cover travel expenses. Doubts prompted her to check directly with her real brother and an uncle, who both denied having any knowledge of the transfers.
Realizing she had been swindled, Alobo promptly alerted her financial institution. She secured the requisite court directive to freeze the target account as instructed, but bank representatives revealed that the balance had already been cleared out.
Subsequent efforts to reach Gershinen by phone and text message were unsuccessful. In an October 11 response to media inquiries, UBA stated that the grievance was under review and advised the client to present a stamped copy of the court mandate at any branch office.
