The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested two men suspected of operating an ATM card-swap fraud scheme, recovering 23 debit cards allegedly belonging to different bank customers.
The suspects, identified as 50-year-old Yusuf Maika and 52-year-old Abubakar Mustapha, were also found with a Moniepoint POS machine and ₦400,000 suspected to be proceeds of the alleged operation.
Police said the men, both residents of Jos, Plateau State, were arrested after allegedly defrauding a bank customer of ₦400,000 in Adamawa State.
The incident occurred at an Access Bank ATM cubicle after the victim, identified as Yunusa Usman, encountered difficulties while attempting to carry out a transaction.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly approached Usman under the guise of offering assistance before secretly replacing his ATM card with another one.
The suspects were also accused of watching the victim enter his PIN before carrying out the card swap without his knowledge.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the suspects allegedly targeted ATM users whose transactions were affected by network or other technical problems.
“The suspects allegedly exploited customers who needed help at ATMs, then used the opportunity to obtain their card details and PINs,” Nguroje said.
He added that the suspects allegedly used a mobile POS terminal to withdraw money or transfer funds from victims’ accounts after obtaining their cards.
The police said the arrest followed a complaint from Usman and a swift response by bank officials on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Items recovered from the suspects include 23 ATM cards issued by different banks, a Moniepoint POS machine and ₦400,000 believed to be linked to the alleged fraud.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly told investigators that they travelled from Jos to Adamawa State the previous week to carry out the operation.
The police said the suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues.
Nguroje added that they would be prosecuted after investigators conclude the case.