Two individuals were taken into custody by security personnel stationed at a commercial banking facility in Ughelli, Delta State, on allegations of intercepting and replacing a female customer's Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. The suspects, identified as 33-year-old Chigozie from Anambra State and 40-year-old Okuche from Ebonyi State, allegedly admitted to journeying from Okpanam close to Asaba specifically to carry out the fraudulent activity.
According to accounts from Ughelli, the victim had visited the financial institution alongside her daughter to address a complication concerning her bank card. She was subsequently advised to verify the card at the cash machine located outside the main banking hall.
How did the incident unfold?
Detailing the incident, the victim, who chose to remain anonymous, explained that while operating the terminal, two men drew close under the pretense of rendering help. This led her to pass the card to one of them, during which time the swap occurred.
The situation escalated when the victim's daughter requested the card, prompting the mother to realize she had surrendered it to the strangers. Upon being challenged and asked to hand back the property, the pair attempted to escape, prompting the customer to raise an alarm that drew the attention of security guards.
Operatives stationed at the facility moved quickly to detain the suspects. Recovered items from the pair included three bank cards, an Android smartphone, and a pair of earbuds.
The suspects were subsequently transferred to investigators at the Ughelli Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force for comprehensive inquiries and subsequent legal actions.