A suspected ATM fraudster has allegedly devised a scheme to steal bank cards and obtain customers’ PINs by pretending to offer assistance at automated teller machine points.
The suspect reportedly targets customers who appear confused or require help with transactions, using their trust to manipulate them into unknowingly exposing their banking details.
In his account of the alleged operation, the suspect said he activates the cardless transaction option on the ATM and makes customers believe their cards remain inside the machine.
He then observes as they select their preferred transactions and enter their PINs, memorising the confidential numbers before leaving the premises.
The victims allegedly discover the deception only after finding that their cards are missing and unauthorised transactions have been carried out on their accounts.
Police spokesman Eitokpah disclosed that the suspect allegedly had an accomplice who acted as a getaway driver. The accomplice was still at large at the time of the report.
According to the spokesman, the divisional police officer overseeing the area had been monitoring the suspect and had previously engaged bank managers over reported fraud cases around ATM locations.
The police advised bank customers to exercise caution when using ATMs, warning them against allowing strangers to handle their cards or disclose their PINs, even when the individuals appear helpful.