Rivers State Police Command arrested Blessing Oleru, 35, for allegedly committing ATM card swap fraud worth ₦523,600. The arrest followed a complaint filed by the victim on February 24, 2025. The victim noticed unauthorized withdrawals after a suspicious ATM encounter in Port Harcourt.
Police investigations revealed that Oleru approached the victim, pretending to assist with a transaction. During the process, she swapped the victim’s card while memorizing the PIN. The victim, unaware of the switch, continued transactions, believing their card was unchanged. Soon after, debit alerts showed unauthorized withdrawals.
Realizing the fraud, the victim reported it to the police, prompting an investigation. Officers tracked Oleru down and arrested her on February 25, 2025. Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the arrest.
“After the victim reported unauthorized withdrawals, officers launched a swift investigation. Evidence pointed to Blessing Oleru, leading to her arrest,” Iringe-Koko said. “She remains in custody, and the case is now with the State Criminal Investigation Department for further action.”
The arrest has sparked discussions about rising ATM card swap fraud in Nigeria. Many scammers pretend to help victims, targeting those unfamiliar with digital banking. Fraudsters often exploit confusion, especially among the elderly. Security agencies continue to warn citizens against accepting help from strangers at ATMs.
Banks must also increase security. Surveillance at ATMs should improve, and customers need better education on fraud prevention. Police stress that vigilance is key, advising customers to shield PINs and verify their cards before leaving an ATM.
Oleru’s case highlights growing ATM fraud in Nigeria. Authorities remain committed to fighting such crimes through stricter monitoring, improved banking security, and public awareness. Police assure that legal action against Oleru will follow due process. They hope her prosecution deters other fraudsters.
Meanwhile, the victim continues cooperating with investigators. Efforts to recover the stolen funds are ongoing. Police urge the public to stay alert, particularly in public banking spaces, and avoid sharing financial details with strangers. The case’s outcome could set a precedent for handling similar fraud cases.