A female suspect who was allegedly involved in an Automated Teller Machine debit card swap worth over N500,000 in Port Harcourt has been apprehended, according to the Rivers State Police Command.
The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Blessing Daberechi Oleru by the command in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko.
Iringe-Koko stated that her arrest came when the victim (name withheld) reported the incident, which required the command’s agents to act quickly.
“The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported the incident at the Olu-Obasanjo Police Station on November 26, 2024, after the suspect swapped his ATM card at a Bank Garrison area in Port Harcourt,” the statement partially says.
According to the report, the victim attempted to withdraw cash from an ATM, but the machine malfunctioned. Oleru, who was standing nearby pretending to carry out a transaction, offered assistance but instead swapped the victim’s debit card.
“The victim left the ATM without realising what had happened but soon began receiving debit alerts totalling N523,600.
“Following a coordinated intelligence operation, police operatives arrested Oleru on February 5, 2025.”
The statement disclosed that during interrogation, she confessed to the crime, and a Moniepoint Point of Sale machine was recovered from her possession.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, added, “The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
“This arrest demonstrates the Rivers State Police Command’s commitment to combating financial crimes and protecting citizens’ interests at all times.”
