How we defraud bank customers at ATM gallery — Suspects

“We approach an ATM gallery and look for someone who appears unfamiliar with using the Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

“Once we find a target, we set the machine to cardless mode and ask them to insert their card.

“As soon as they do, their Personal Identification Number (PIN) appears on the screen, which we quickly memorise.

“We then press ‘proceed,’ causing the machine to display an error message that says ‘unable to proceed.’

“At this point, we tell the person that their card has been swallowed and suggest they seek help from a security officer. While they are distracted talking to the security, we eject the card and leave.”

These were the words of David Obike and his twin brother, Stanley, who were arrested by plain-clothed police operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for their involvement in a series of ATM card thefts across Abuja.

The arrests were made after a careful investigation and tracking operation conducted by the police.

According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, who paraded them, the brothers targeted unsuspecting individuals unfamiliar with operating Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). They would approach these individuals under the guise of offering assistance.

“The twin brothers’ method was simple yet effective. They would find someone struggling to use an ATM and set the machine to cardless mode.

Then, they would ask the person to insert their card, and once the Personal Identification Number (PIN) was displayed on the screen, they would memorise it.

After pretending the transaction could not proceed, they would tell the victim that their card had been swallowed by the machine and advise them to seek help from a security officer.

During this distraction, the brothers would eject the card and leave the scene with it. Once they had obtained the card and the PIN, they would quickly withdraw money from the victim’s account. During their interrogation, the twins freely confessed to their crimes,” Igweh explained.

The Commissioner of Police assured the public that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He also stressed the importance of being vigilant at ATMs and urged the public to be cautious of individuals offering unsolicited assistance at ATM galleries.

The FCT Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of residents and will continue to monitor and apprehend individuals engaged in criminal activities.