CRIME: WOMAN ARRESTED OVER N523,600 ATM CARD FRAUD IN RIVERS

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have arrested a female suspect allegedly involved in an Automated Teller Machine debit card swap worth over N500,000 in Port Harcourt.

The command, in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, identified the suspect as 35-year-old Blessing Daberechi Oleru.

Iringe-Koko said her arrest followed a report by the victim (name withheld) necessitating a prompt response by operatives of the command.

The statement partly reads, “The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported the incident on November 26, 2024, at the Olu-Obasanjo Police Station after the suspect swapped his ATM card at a Bank Garrison area in Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, the victim attempted to withdraw cash from an ATM,  but the machine malfunctioned. Oleru, who was standing nearby pretending to carry out a transaction, offered assistance but instead swapped the victim’s debit card.

“The victim left the ATM without realising what had happened but soon began receiving debit alerts totalling N523,600.

“Following a coordinated intelligence operation, police operatives arrested Oleru on February 5, 2025.”