By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna*
Three individuals suspected to be members of an ATM snatching syndicate have been arrested by the police, along with 54 ATM cards and a POS machine, according to a statement by the Kaduna State Police Command.
The statement, signed by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, revealed that “on August 27, 2024, at about 2300 hours, following credible intelligence, police operatives apprehended three suspects involved in ATM card swap fraud through a well-coordinated operation.”
The suspects, identified as Umar Yau, male, of Zoo Road, Kano; Abdullahi Bukar, male, of Tudun Wada, Kaduna; and Hussaini Sulaiman, male, of Zoo Road, Kano, were known for loitering around ATM machines, where they pretended to assist individuals unfamiliar with operating the machines.
“In doing so, they would deceitfully swap the victims’ ATM cards, allowing them to carry out unauthorized withdrawals,” the statement continued.
A total of 54 ATM cards from different banks and a POS machine were recovered from the suspects, who confessed to defrauding multiple victims across Kano, Kaduna, and Zaria.
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, assured the public of the command’s continued commitment to safeguarding the community and urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited assistance at ATMs. He also encouraged immediate reporting of any suspicious behavior at ATM points to the police.
