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Tag: ATM Cards

  • Another Dubai-bound passenger arrested with 5,342 ATM cards

    Another Dubai-bound passenger arrested with 5,342 ATM cards

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Command arrested a Dubai-bound passenger in possession of 5,342 ATM cards at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

    The Customs Area Comptroller, Mr Nasir Ahmed, stated this while handing over the suspect to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday in Kano.

    Ahmed said the suspect was arrested while about to board a Dubai-bound Ethopian Airlines with the ATM cards concealed in two sacks of beans by the personnel of the command at the airport.

    “It can be assumed that the suspect can withdraw up to one million dollars in a day, at the detriment of the national economy.

    “We handed over the suspect, his passport and other travelling documents to the EFCC for further investigations,” Ahmed said.

    Commenting on other activities of the service, Ahmed said the command generated over N2.3 billion revenues in the September.

    While reiterating commitment to check smuggling in the country, the comptroller sought for the support of the media to enhance awareness creation on the ills of smuggling to the nation’s economy.

    Also speaking, Mr Sanusi Aliyu, the Head of the EFCC Zonal Office comprising Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, commended the service for effective surveillance to check crimes and financial crime in the airports and other point of entry in the country.

    Aliyu said the commission would conduct thorough investigation.

    “Investigation is necessary to establish the reasons behind the acts and other persons involved in the acts.

    “The Nigeria Customs Service has been a very good partner of the EFCC in the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country,” he said.

    Aliyu pledged continued partnership with the service to check graft practices in the country.

    Recall that in September the Nigeria Customs arrested a Dubai-bound Nigerian, Abubakar Ishaq at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, with 2,886 ATM cards, concealed in noodles.

    Ishaq also had on him four Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards. The suspect was arrested on 22 August. He was billed to board an Emirates evacuation flight to Dubai.

    He was handed to the Lagos Zone of the EFCC today by the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Abudulmumuni Bako.

  • [Photos] Dubai-bound passenger arrested at Lagos airport with 2,886 ATM cards concealed in Noodles

    [Photos] Dubai-bound passenger arrested at Lagos airport with 2,886 ATM cards concealed in Noodles

    The Nigeria Customs has arrested a Dubai-bound Nigerian, Abubakar Ishaq at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, with 2,886 ATM cards, concealed in noodles.

    Ishaq also had on him four Subscriber Identification Module( SIM) cards.

    The suspect was arrested on 22 August. He was billed to board an Emirates evacuation flight to Dubai.

    He was handed to the Lagos Zone of the EFCC today by the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Abudulmumuni Bako.

    Some of the ATM cards handed over to EFCC by Customs

    Bako told the EFCC, how the suspected was interdicted:

    “Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Departure Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, on August 22, 2020, intercepted the suspect with 2, 886 ATM cards and four SIM cards, which he carefully concealed in parks of Noodles.”

    Bako, who represented the Customs Area Comptroller, A. Ma’aji, added that “The suspect, who claimed to have come from Kano to travel to Dubai aboard the Emirate Evacuation flight , was seen with someone who was assigned to facilitate his movement through the airport checks.

    “This raised the suspicion of the officers who insisted he should be physically and thoroughly checked after the scan machine had revealed he was carrying parks of noodles”, he said.

    The Lagos zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said it has commenced investigations.

    The Lagos zonal head, AbdulRasheed Bawa, who received the suspect on behalf of the Commission, assured the Customs Service that the Commission would duly investigate the suspect and any other party that might be involved in the alleged criminal offence.

    “On behalf of the Commission and the acting Chairman, Mr. Muhammed Umar, we have taken over Ishaq. I can assure you that we are going to investigate the matter thoroughly and unveil everybody involved in the syndicate.

    “There are a number of possibilities. There is an element of conspiracy, foreign exchange (FOREX) malpractices and money laundering.

    “Indeed, banks and bankers are definitely involved. “

    Bawa also emphasized the possibility of the suspect being a member of a network.

    “In recent months, we have observed a trend in which unsuspecting Nigerians are lured into opening accounts to be bought at a fee.

    “Most bankers are not carrying out their duties with due diligence, particularly the Know Your Customers, KYC, procedural check”, he said.

  • Man allegedly steals neighbour’s ATM cards, withdraws N2m

    A 30 -year – old businessman, Obinna Otigba, who allegedly stole his neighbour’s two Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) cards and withdrew N2 million from her accounts, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused was arraigned before Magistrate O.J. Awope on a two-count charge of stealing and illegal conversion of property for personal use.

    Otigba, who resides at Ojokoro area of Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty, and was admitted to N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Awope said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, said that the accused committed the offences from Nov. 17, 2017 to Nov. 28, 2017 at his residence.

    He said that the accused stole the ATM cards from Mrs Theresa Ajibade and absconded to an unknown destination.

    “The accused who lived in the same house with the complainant, stole her ATM cards and took to his heels,” the prosecutor submitted.

    Ayorinde said that the accused withdrew the N2 million from Ajibade’s two bank accounts.

    “The accused withdrew N2 million from the complainant’s pension account and investment account, thereby emptying the accounts,” he said.

    The prosecutor said one of the cards was recovered from the accused while he claimed to have misplaced the other.

    He submitted that the offences contravened Sections 280 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (revised).

    Section 287 stipulates three years’ imprisonment for stealing. The case was adjourned until March 26 for mention.

     

  • EFCC arrests man in possession of 849 ATM cards

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday said it has stepped up investigation to determine how a suspect, Yasir Salihu Abdullahi, got 849 Automated Teller Machine, ATM cards of various Nigerian banks.

    The commission said Abdullahi will be investigated on why the cards were being shipped out of the country.

    According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the suspect was arrested at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday as he prepared to board an Egypt Air heading for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    The anti-graft agency said Abdullahi was intercepted after a scan of his luggage by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service revealed the suspicious items.

    The statement said: “The Customs officers then alerted the EFCC’s office in Kano. On arrival, operatives of the commission discovered that he had: 490 Guaranty Trust Bank ATM cards; 287 ATM cards of Access Bank; 49 ATM cards of Eco Bank; 10 ATM cards of UBA; six ATM cards of Stanbic IBTC Bank; four ATM cards of Zenith Bank; one ATM card each of Sterling Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and First City Monument Bank.

    “Another suspected fraudster, Ma Yongbin alias Suleiman Yunusa, a 46-year-old Chinese national was also arrested on August 3 by Aviation Security at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport as he tried to board Egypt Air to China.

    “He was arrested at the Baggage checking point where he was found to have in his possession the sum of N305,000 in N5 denomination. He was eventually handed over to the commission for further investigation.

    “The two suspects have made useful statements. They have also been granted administrative bail while investigations continue.”