24th May, 2023
By Stanley Nwanosike
A mother of four and three other members of of syndicate suspected to specialise on Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards swapping have been arrested in Enugu after fraudulently withdrawing total sum of N495,000 from the account of 63-year-old man in Enugu State.
The suspects were arrested while escaping to their hideout in Emene, Enugu, after they fraudulently stole the ATM card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) of their victim to withdraw the money.
The fraud syndicate had pretended that they were assisting the man to withdraw money from a commercial Bank ATM along Ogui Road, Enugu, the spokesperson for the satte police command said in a statement issued on Wednesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that the suspects were arrested by police operatives serving in Hawk Tactical Squad together with troops of NAF, Enugu, on May 6 at about 4:30 p.m. in Emene, Enugu.
“Immediately after the switching the ATM card, the suspects used the card and PIN to withdraw the total sum of N495,000 from the victim’s account.
“The suspects confessed to the crime, stating that they have carried out many other criminal acts of ATM cards swapping and fraud within Enugu metropolis.
“The suspects confessed to the crime, stating that they have carried out many other criminal acts of ATM cards swapping and fraud within Enugu metropolis.
“Four different bank ATM cards, including that of the victim, were recovered from them,” he said.
Ndukwe said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Ammani, commended the joint operatives for bursting and bringing the criminal syndicate to book.
He said that the commissioner had urged bank customers, particularly the elderly and those without proper knowledge of how to use ATM of banks, to exercise caution.
Ndukwe said that the state police boss urged bank customers to seek the assistance of bank staff while using their cards on the ATM machine.
(NAN)