Police nab suspected ATM fraudsters in Adamawa, recover cash, others

The police command in Adamawa has arrested two suspected fraudsters for alleged ATM card swap fraud in the state.
The suspects were identified as Yusuf Maika and Abubakar Mustapha, 52 years, both residents of Jos, Plateau State.
In a statement on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, said the suspects were arrested for allegedly defrauding one Yunusa Usman of the sum of ₦400,000 at an Access Bank ATM cubicle in the state.
“The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the victim and immidiate response from the Bank’s staff on Monday, 7th September, 2026,” the statement said.
The command noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects specialise in targeting ATM users experiencing network or transaction difficulties.
It added that the suspects offered unsolicited assistance to such victims, observe their PINs, and subsequently swap their ATM cards with similar cards without their knowledge.
“The suspects would then use a mobile POS machine to withdraw or transfer funds from the victims’ accounts,” the statement added.
Items recovered from the suspects include 23 ATM cards belonging to different banks, one moniepoint POS machine used in debiting victims’ accounts and the sum of ₦400,000, proceeds of the alleged fraud.
The command explained that during interrogation, the suspects disclosed that they came to Adamawa State from Jos, Plateau State last week for the purpose of perpetrating the crime.
It added that the suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
The command urged members of the public to exercise caution when using ATM facilities, avoid disclosing their PINs to anyone, and immediately report any suspicious individual offering unsolicited assistance at ATM points to the police or bank officials.
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