The Kaduna State Police Command has apprehended three suspects involved in an ATM card swapping scheme within the state. The arrests were made following credible intelligence that led to a well-coordinated operation.
ASP Mansir Hassan, the Command’s Spokesperson, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Friday, noting that 54 ATM cards and a Point of Sale (POS) machine were recovered from the suspects.
“On August 27, at about 23:00 hours, police operatives arrested three suspects involved in ATM card swap fraud through a well-coordinated operation,” Hassan stated.
The arrested suspects were identified as Umar Ya’u of Zoo Road, Kano; Abdullahi Bukar of Tudun Wada, Kaduna; and Hussaini Sulaiman of Zoo Road, Kano. These individuals were reportedly known for lingering around ATM machines, where they pretended to assist users unfamiliar with the machines. During these interactions, they would deceitfully swap the victims’ ATM cards, enabling unauthorized withdrawals.
Hassan revealed that the 54 recovered ATM cards, belonging to various banks, and the POS machine were used by the suspects to defraud numerous victims across Kano, Kaduna, and Zaria.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Audu Dabigi, reassured the public of the command’s commitment to maintaining community safety. He also urged citizens to be cautious of unsolicited help at ATM points and to report any suspicious activities to the police promptly for immediate action.
