Rivers Police bust ATM card swapping syndicate, arrests prime suspect

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Daberechi Oleru, for her alleged involvement in an ATM debit card swapping syndicate.

The suspect, a resident of OMPADEC Road, Igwuruta Town, Port Harcourt, was apprehended on February 5, 2025, following a coordinated intelligence operation.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a press statement on Tuesday, disclosed that the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, had attempted to withdraw cash from an ATM at the Bank Garrison axis in Port Harcourt on November 26, 2024.

However, the machine malfunctioned, and Oleru, who was standing nearby, offered assistance. Unknown to the victim, Oleru swapped his debit card, and the victim only realised what had happened when he began receiving debit alerts totalling ₦523,600.00.

Iringe-Koko added that during interrogation, Oleru confessed to the crime, and a POS machine was recovered from her possession.

She added that the police are currently investigating the matter, with efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, emphasised that the police will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those involved in such nefarious activities are brought to justice.