The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a suspected fraudster in Calabar for allegedly stealing bank customers' PINs and defrauding unsuspecting individuals at Automated Teller Machine (ATM) locations.
The arrest was announced on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, via a video posted on the official Facebook page. According to police reports, the suspect was apprehended on October 6, 2026, following a coordinated tracking effort by the local divisional police officer, who had previously met with area bank managers to address rising concerns over ATM-related financial crimes.
The Suspect's Modus Operandi
Investigations revealed that the suspect specifically targeted individuals struggling to navigate ATM terminals or those who requested assistance. Operating in a deliberate sequence, the suspect used deception to manipulate the machine and compromise the user's security:
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Distraction and Manipulation: The suspect would switch the ATM interface into a cardless transaction mode while convincing the victim that their card was securely retained inside the terminal.
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Shoulder Surfing: While the victim attempted to proceed with transactions such as cash withdrawals, fund transfers, or account inquiries, the suspect carefully observed the screen.
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PIN Memorization: The suspect memorized the victims' passwords as they entered and confirmed them on the keypad.
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The Escape: Once the confidential PIN was compromised, the suspect fled the premises. The victims only later discovered that their cards were missing and unauthorized debits had already been made to their accounts.
Police authorities disclosed that the suspect operated alongside an accomplice who served as a getaway driver. Law enforcement personnel are actively pursuing the fleeing suspect.
Public Safety Advisory
In light of this incident, the Cross River State Police Command has strongly advised members of the public to exercise heightened caution when using public banking facilities. Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant, decline unsolicited assistance from strangers at financial terminals, and fiercely protect their personal identification numbers at all times.