A suspected fraudster has revealed how he allegedly stole bank customers’ personal identification numbers (PINs) by posing as a Good Samaritan to assist them at automated teller machine (ATM) points in Calabar, Cross River State.
The suspect reportedly targeted customers who needed help operating ATMs, allegedly withholding their bank cards while watching them enter their PINs before leaving the premises.
The Cross River State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a video shared on the command’s Facebook page on Tuesday.
Eitokpah said the suspect was arrested on October 6, 2026, over alleged fraudulent activities targeting unsuspecting ATM users.
In the video, the suspect explained how he allegedly exploited the trust of customers who approached him for assistance.
“I do go to the ATM machine to lie in wait for gullible customers who believe whatever I may tell them, and people that seek for help too,” he said.
He explained that he would allegedly switch the ATM to cardless transaction mode and keep the customer’s card, making the person believe it was still inside the machine.
“So, if you call for help or assistance from me, what I do is I put the ATM on the cardless transaction mode and withhold your card. You’ll be thinking your card is inside, but your card is not inside,” the suspect said.
He added that he observed customers as they selected their preferred transactions and entered their PINs before leaving the ATM location.
The police spokesperson said the suspect allegedly memorised the PINs and used the information to facilitate fraudulent transactions. Victims reportedly discovered that their cards were missing after noticing unauthorised debits from their accounts.
Eitokpah further disclosed that the suspect allegedly worked with a getaway driver who was still being sought by the police.
According to him, the divisional police officer in charge of the area had been monitoring the suspect and had previously met with bank managers to discuss measures to tackle fraudulent activities around ATM points.
The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant when using ATMs and avoid handing their bank cards or revealing their PINs to strangers offering assistance.
