Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested one Blessing Oleru, for allegedly swapping a bank customer’s Automated Teller Machine debit card to commit ₦523,600 fraud.

In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the 35-year-old suspect was arrested in Port-Harcourt, after the victim reported the fraud to the police.

The police said, “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 along the Garrison axis in Port Harcourt.’’

The statement indicated that the victim attempted to withdraw cash from an ATM, but the machine malfunctioned and Oleru, who was standing nearby pretending to carry out a transaction, offered assistance but instead swapped the victim’s debit card. It stated that the victim left the ATM without realising what had happened but soon began receiving debit alerts totalling ₦523,600.00.

The statement added, “Following a coordinated intelligence operation, police operatives arrested Oleru on February 5, 2025. During interrogation, she confessed to the crime, and a Moniepoint Point of Sale (PoS) machine was recovered from her possession.”

Mrs Iringe-Koko stated that investigation was ongoing and efforts were underway to apprehend other members of the syndicate.