An arrested suspected ATM card fraudster, Michael Chinonso, has confessed to security operatives how he allegedly distracts bank customers at automated teller machine (ATM) points to swap their cards.
Chinonso, who was arrested by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, made the confession during an interrogation conducted by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Josephine Adeh, on Friday.
He said he usually taps customers attempting to withdraw money from ATMs to distract them, creating an opportunity for him to swap their cards without their knowledge.
The suspect said he had engaged in the act twice, adding that during his first attempt, he made more than N200,000 by using a victim’s ATM card to withdraw money from the person’s account.
He also confessed that he belonged to a three-man gang specialising in swapping ATM cards, explaining that his role was to distract customers while another member of the gang carried out the card swap.
Adeh disclosed that the suspect was arrested at a bank branch in Lugbe, Abuja, on Friday.
She said the suspect was apprehended after he allegedly attempted to swap a customer’s ATM card before escaping.
According to her, operatives are on the trail of the two other members of the gang who are currently at large.
She said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Adeh advised ATM users to remain vigilant whenever they visit banking halls or ATM points to carry out transactions.
She cautioned residents against allowing strangers to assist them with ATM withdrawals and urged members of the public to remain security-conscious and report suspicious persons through the command’s emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08061581938.