The Kaduna State Police Command has busted a syndicate of suspects involved in Automated Teller Machine card swap fraud, recovering 54 ATM cards of different banks and a Point of Sale (POS) machine.
According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, on Friday, the suspects were arrested on August 27, 2024, at about 11:00 PM, following a well-coordinated operation based on credible intelligence information.
Hassan said the suspects, identified as Umar Yau, Abdullahi Bukar, and Hussaini Sulaiman, were known to loiter around ATM machines, pretending to assist individuals who appeared unfamiliar with operating the machines, and then deceitfully swapping the victims’ ATM cards.
The police spokesman quoted the Police Commissioner, Audu Dabigi, to have urged the public to remain vigilant while using ATM facilities, warning against accepting unsolicited assistance and encouraging immediate reporting of any suspicious behavior at ATM points to the Police.
He added that the arrest and recovery of the ATM cards and POS machine are a significant breakthrough in the fight against fraud and cybercrime in the state.
Hassan also assured the public of the Command’s continued commitment to safeguarding the community and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The statement said, “On August 27, 2024, at approximately 11:00 PM, police operatives conducted a well-coordinated operation based on credible intelligence information, leading to the arrest of three suspects.
“The suspects, identified as Umar Yau of Zoo Road, Kano; Abdullahi Bukar of Tudun Wada, Kaduna; and Hussaini Sulaiman of Zoo Road, Kano, were known to loiter around ATM machines, where they would pretend to assist individuals who appeared unfamiliar with operating the machines, and then deceitfully swap the victims’ ATM cards, allowing them to carry out unauthorized withdrawals.
“The suspects confessed to defrauding multiple victims across Kano, Kaduna, and Zaria, and the recovered ATM cards and POS machine were found in their possession.
“The Commissioner of Police, Audu Ali Dabigi, assures the public of the Command’s continued commitment to safeguarding the community and urges residents to be cautious when using ATM facilities, warning against accepting unsolicited assistance and encouraging immediate reporting of any suspicious behavior at ATM points to the Police.”