Police arrest Rivers woman over ₦523,600 ATM card swap fraud
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a woman allegedly involved in an Automated Teller Machine debit card swap fraud worth over ₦500,000 in Port Harcourt.
The police, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, identified the suspect as 35-year-old Blessing Oleru.
Iringe-Koko said her arrest followed a report by the victim (name withheld), prompting a swift response from operatives of the command.
The statement partly reads: “The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported the incident on November 26, 2024, at the Olu-Obasanjo Police Station after 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.”
Iringe-Koko added, “The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
“This arrest demonstrates the Rivers State Police Command’s commitment to combating financial crimes and protecting citizens’ interests at all times.”
