The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended a suspect, Blessing Oleru, 35, alleged to have specialised in swapping Automated Teller Machine debit cards owned by others.
The female suspect, a member of a larger debit card fraud syndicate, was arrested by police operatives following a manhunt.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the command’s spokesperson and a Superintendent of Police, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that Oleru had defrauded a male victim of N523,600 before her arrest.
According to Iringe-Koko, the victim had reported the incident to the Olu Obasanjo Police Station after Oleru allegedly swapped his debit card while he attempted to withdraw cash from an ATM.
She said: “The victim attempted to withdraw cash from an ATM, but the machine malfunctioned.
“Oleru, who was standing nearby pretending to carry out a transaction, offered to assist but instead swapped the victims’ debit card.”
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Iringe-Koko said that the victim left the ATM without realising what had occurred and subsequently began receiving debit alerts amounting to N523,600.
After the matter was reported, she stated that the police launched an investigation, which led to Oleru’s arrest on February 5.
She said: “During interrogation, Oleru confessed to the crime.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the debit card swapping syndicate who are still at large.”
The police spokesperson further revealed that officers recovered a Moniepoint Point of Sale machine from the suspect.
“This arrest underscores the Rivers State Police Command’s commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring the protection of citizens at all times,” Iringe-Koko concluded.
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