In a collaborative operation with the Nigerian Air Force, the Enugu State Police Command has successfully apprehended a group of four fraudsters specializing in the illicit practice of swapping Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of unsuspecting bank customers. The suspects, consisting of three males and one female ranging from 18 to 36 years old, were apprehended on May 6, 2023, at approximately 4:30 pm by operatives from the Hawk Tactical Squad.

The police statement, delivered by DSP Daniel Ndukwe, identified the suspects as Michael Sopuruchi, Osinachi Godwin, Moses Ani, and Chika Nwoko—a 36-year-old mother of four. Their arrest took place while they were attempting to escape to their criminal hideout in Emene, Enugu. The criminals had stolen the ATM card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) of a 63-year-old male victim, deceiving him under the pretense of assisting with a withdrawal from a commercial bank ATM located along Ogui Road in Enugu.

Following the fraudulent act, the perpetrators swiftly exploited the stolen card and PIN to withdraw a total of four hundred and ninety-five thousand Naira (N495,000.00) from the victim’s bank account. During police interrogation, the suspects confessed to engaging in numerous other incidents involving ATM card-swapping and fraud within the Enugu metropolis. Law enforcement officers were able to recover four different ATM cards from various banks, including the victim’s card.

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the suspects were arraigned in court, and a magistrate ordered their remand in Enugu Custodial Centre. The case has been adjourned to June 7, 2023, for further hearings. The case file will be transmitted to the Attorney General for legal advice through the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Ministry of Justice in Enugu State.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, expressed his appreciation to the joint operatives for dismantling the criminal syndicate and bringing its members to justice. He also issued a cautionary message to bank customers, particularly the elderly and those unfamiliar with ATM usage, urging them to exercise vigilance and seek assistance from bank staff when conducting transactions.