Woman Arrested In Port Harcourt Over ATM Card Swap Fraud

A 35 year old woman identified as Blessing Oleru has been napped by officers of The Rivers State Police Command for an Automated Teller Machine ATM debit card swap fraud amounting to over.5million naira.

The PPRO of The Command, Grace Iringe-Koko stated this in a statement made available to Newsmen in Port Harcourt, she said that the culprit was arrested following a report by the victim. Items recovered from her include a Moniepoint Point of Sale (PoS) machine.

According to the PPRO, the victim reported the incident on November 26, 2024, at the Olu-Obasanjo Police Station, explaining how Oleru swapped his ATM card at a bank along the Garrison axis in Port Harcourt while he was attempting to withdraw cash from a malfunctioned ATM. “The suspect swapped his ATM card at a bank along the Garrison axis in Port Harcourt. According to the report, 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 assistance but instead swapped the victim’s debit card. The victim left the ATM without realising what had happened but soon began receiving debit alerts totalling ₦523,600.00. “Following a coordinated intelligence operation, police operatives arrested Oleru on February 5, 2025. During interrogation, she confessed to the crime, and a Moniepoint Point of Sale (PoS) machine was recovered from her possession.” The statement read in part.

The Police Spokesperson disclosed that The Command has started an investigation which will lead to the arrest of other members of the crime syndicate.