The Borno State Police Command has arrested four suspects over an alleged N285,000 fraud, in which two young men posing as Moniepoint agents tricked a resident into divulging his account details. According to ASP Nahum Daso, the Command's Spokesperson, the incident occurred on October 25, when Unus Burum, a resident of Shuwari II, Maiduguri, reported being approached by the suspects. The suspects allegedly accessed Burum's account and withdrew N285,000 without authorization.
The police recovered 40 OPay and Moniepoint ATM cards from the suspects, which have been retained as exhibits to support further investigations. Daso stated that operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID) commenced investigations following Burum's report and traced the Point-of-Sale (POS) transactions to the agents involved. The suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the alleged crime.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Naziru Abdulmajid, reaffirmed the command's commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice. Daso advised residents against disclosing their account details, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), passwords, and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to strangers. He also urged the public to prevent unauthorized access to their mobile banking applications.
The incident highlights the need for residents to be cautious when dealing with strangers who claim to be agents of financial institutions. Daso emphasized that the police would take appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable after investigations. The suspects are currently in custody, and further investigations are ongoing.
The Borno State Police Command has been actively working to combat various forms of crime in the state. Recently, the command smashed a notorious phone theft ring in Maiduguri and arrested a Borno man caught with 116 wraps of Indian hemp. The command's efforts aim to ensure the safety and security of residents in the state.
The police have warned financial institutions and the general public to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents. Residents are advised to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station promptly. The command's proactive measures demonstrate its commitment to protecting the public and preventing crimes.
The arrested suspects will face charges for allegedly conspiring to commit a crime and fraudulently withdrawing N285,000 from Burum's account. The police's swift response and recovery of the stolen funds and ATM cards demonstrate their effectiveness in addressing such crimes. The incident serves as a reminder for residents to be cautious and take necessary precautions to protect their financial information.
Key points
- - Four suspects arrested for allegedly withdrawing N285,000 from a resident's account in Borno State. - 40 ATM cards recovered from the suspects. - Police warn residents to be cautious when dealing with strangers who claim to be agents of financial institutions.
