A suspected fraudster has explained 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, whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested on October 6, 2026, over alleged fraudulent activities targeting unsuspecting ATM users.
The Cross River State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a video shared on the command’s Facebook page.
In the video, the suspect said he targeted customers who needed assistance with ATM transactions, allegedly exploiting their trust to obtain their bank cards and observe them entering their PINs.
“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 when customers sought his assistance, he allegedly manipulated the ATM process to make them believe their cards were still inside the machine when he had already withheld them.
“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,” he said.
The suspect added that he watched customers select their preferred transactions, including withdrawals, transfers and balance inquiries, before entering their PINs.
According to him, he would leave the premises after observing the customers input and confirm their passwords.
Eitokpah said the suspect allegedly memorised the customers’ PINs and left with the information required to carry out fraudulent transactions.
The victims would later discover that their ATM cards were missing and that unauthorised withdrawals or other transactions had been made from their bank accounts.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the suspect allegedly operated with a getaway driver who was still being sought by the command.
He said the divisional police officer in charge of the area had been monitoring the suspect and had previously engaged bank managers in meetings aimed at addressing reported fraudulent activities around ATM points.
The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant when using ATMs and avoid surrendering their bank cards or disclosing their PINs to strangers offering assistance.
It also advised customers who encounter difficulties at ATM points to seek help from authorised bank personnel rather than unfamiliar individuals.
