Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have recently made significant progress in tackling the growing problem of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) fraud in the state. They have successfully arrested and detained three individuals suspected of being involved in a series of ATM card swap frauds. This operation underscores the commitment of the police force to combating financial crimes and protecting the citizens from such fraudulent activities.
The Command’s Spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed this development in a statement released in Kaduna on Friday. He disclosed that the police were able to recover 54 ATM cards and a Point of Sale (POS) machine from the suspects during the operation. “On August 27, at about 23:00 hours, following a credible intelligence, police operatives nab three suspects involved in ATM Card Swap Fraud, through a well-coordinated operation,” he stated.
The three suspects who were apprehended are Umar Ya’u from Zoo Road in Kano, Abdullahi Bukar from Tudun Wada in Kaduna, and Hussaini Sulaiman, also from Zoo Road in Kano. These individuals were reported to have developed a cunning method of defrauding unsuspecting victims at various ATM points. According to the police, the suspects typically loitered around ATM machines, especially in areas where they could easily find people who were not very familiar with the operation of these machines.
The suspects would deceptively swap the victims’ ATM cards during the process of providing this ‘assistance’. In many cases, the victims, unaware of the switch, would end up with a different card while the suspects retained the original. “In doing so, they would deceitfully swap the victims’ ATM cards, allowing them to carry out unauthorised withdrawals,” said ASP Mansir Hassan.
The scope of their fraudulent activities was extensive, as evidenced by the recovery of 54 ATM cards from the suspects. These cards were from different banks, indicating that the suspects did not limit themselves to defrauding customers of a specific bank. Additionally, a POS machine was recovered, which they admitted to using in their fraudulent operations. The suspects confessed that these items were obtained through defrauding multiple victims across different locations, including Kano, Kaduna, and Zaria. This confession highlights the widespread nature of their activities and the level of planning and coordination involved in their operations.
The arrest of these suspects is a significant achievement for the Kaduna State Police Command, reflecting their commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting citizens from criminal activities. ASP Mansir Hassan also mentioned that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Audu Dabigi, has assured the public of the Command’s continued commitment to safeguarding the community. He emphasized the importance of vigilance and urged the public to be cautious when dealing with unsolicited offers of help at ATM points. He stressed that individuals should always be aware of their surroundings and be cautious of anyone who approaches them at ATM points under the guise of offering assistance. “He also urged the general public to be mindful of unsolicited assistance and to immediately report any suspicious behavior at ATM points to the police for prompt action,” Hassan added.
The police also advised ATM users to always ensure that they have their ATM cards securely in their possession and to double-check the cards after every transaction. The public was further encouraged to promptly report any suspicious activities they might observe around ATM points to the police. This would not only help in preventing fraud but also assist the police in their efforts to apprehend more criminals involved in such nefarious activities.
in its efforts to rid the state of criminals and ensure that Kaduna remains a safe place for all its residents. He stated that the command is working round the clock to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals involved in any form of criminal activity. The success of this recent operation is a testament to the effectiveness of their strategies and their commitment to serving the public. Dabigi expressed his gratitude to the public for their cooperation and encouraged them to continue providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of more suspects involved in criminal activities.
The public is encouraged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from becoming victims of such schemes.
