In a decisive operation, the Kaduna State Police Command has dismantled a notorious syndicate involved in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card swap fraud, recovering 54 ATM cards from various banks and a Point of Sale (POS) machine. The suspects, identified as Umar Yau, Abdullahi Bukar, and Hussaini Sulaiman, were apprehended on August 27, 2024, at approximately 11:00 PM, following a meticulously coordinated operation based on credible intelligence.

According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, the suspects were known to loiter around ATMs, pretending to assist individuals unfamiliar with operating the machines, and then deceitfully swapping the victims’ ATM cards. This allowed them to carry out unauthorized withdrawals, defrauding multiple victims across Kano, Kaduna, and Zaria.

Police Commissioner Audu Ali Dabigi has urged the public to remain vigilant when using ATM facilities, warning against accepting unsolicited assistance and encouraging immediate reporting of any suspicious behavior at ATM points to the police. He emphasized that the arrest and recovery of the ATM cards and POS machines represent a significant breakthrough in the fight against fraud and cybercrime in the state.

The suspects have confessed to their crimes, and the police are continuing their investigation to ensure that all members of the syndicate are brought to justice. This operation underscores the Kaduna State Police Command’s commitment to safeguarding the community and maintaining public trust.