Tag: EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm on persistent Automated Teller Machine (ATM) debit card fraud by suspected fraudsters.

The anti-graft agency said the alert became imperative in view of barrage of complaints from people to the agency.

In a statement by the Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission however gave some tips which may be useful in avoiding further financial losses by the banking public.

According to the agency, the modus operandi of fraudsters involved in the nefarious practice involves keeping a debit card of the same bank, and in the guise of helping a confused bank customer at any ATM point, swaps the card in such a hurry that the customer would not notice and at the same time memorises the pin used in trying the fake cards.  

“These cards get stuck in the machine due to a wrong pin and the fraudster quickly abandons the victim, advising him/ her to report to the bank while making away with the victim’s card to make immediate withdrawals from the account,” the agency said.

The statement reads: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has been inundated with barrage of complaints from well- meaning Nigerians concerning unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts, which investigations by the Commission have linked to Automated Teller Machine (ATM) debit card swapping or fraud.

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“This card swapping typically happens in any service delivery point, such as Point of Sale, POS, terminals, ATM points, among others. The fraudulent practice is gaining momentum across the country and the banking public is enjoined to be more circumspect in the use of debit cards.  

“In view of the foregoing, the following tips may be useful in avoiding further financial losses by the banking public:

“Cards should be kept in sight or a safe place. Whenever you get your card back after making any payment, make sure it is actually your card and not just one that looks similar.

“Regularly check your bank statements for any unknown transaction.

“Set transaction alerts to monitor any activity on your accounts or with your bank card.

“Cover the keypad with your hand or body when entering your PIN at POS terminal/ATM machines.

“Do not be in a rush to make payments or withdrawals and request for assistance only from officials of the bank.

“Call your banks to block your ATM cards immediately when your cards are stuck in the ATM machines or whenever you observe any irregularity.

“Ensure you know your bank’s ATM off line blocking code and quickly make use of it whenever it is misplaced or stolen.

“Dial the USSD code *966*911# and follow the pop-up instructions to block your ATM card instantly”.

The anti-graft agency assured that it will not relent in safeguarding personal, corporate and national finances in its quest to rid the nation of all forms of economic and financial crimes.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has advised Nigerians to be wary of ATM swap fraudsters, saying the commission had been inundated with a barrage of complaints from the public concerning the incident.

The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Dele Oyewale, gave the advice in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Oyewale said investigations by the Commission have linked unauthorised withdrawals from customers bank accounts to Automated Teller Machine (ATM) day Debit Card swapping or fraud.

He said that the modus operandi of the fraudsters involved keeping a debit card of the same bank, and swapping the card in the guise of helping a confused bank customer at any ATM point.

“They swap the card in such a hurry that the customer would not notice and at the same time memorise the pin used in trying the fake cards.

“These cards get stuck in the machine due to a wrong pin and the fraudster quickly abandons the victim, advising him/her to report to the bank while making away with the victim’s card to make immediate withdrawals from the account.

“This card swapping typically happens in any service delivery point, such as Point of Sale (POS) terminals, and ATM points, among others,” Oyewale said.

He said that the fraudulent practice was gaining momentum across the country and the banking public was enjoined to be more circumspect in the use of debit cards.

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The commission listed the useful tips to be adopted by the banking public to avoid further financial losses to include keeping cards in sight or a safe place after making any transaction and ensure that the card actually belongs to oneself.

“Regularly check your bank statements for any unknown transaction, set transaction alerts to monitor any activity on your accounts or with your bank card are also vital in stopping the fraudsters.

“You could also cover the keypad with your hand or body when entering your PIN at POS terminal/ATM machines and never be in a rush to make payments or withdrawals and request for assistance only from officials of the bank.

“Call your banks to block your ATM cards immediately your cards are stuck in the ATM machines or whenever you observe any irregularity.

“Ensure you know your bank’s ATM off line, blocking code and quickly make use of it whenever it is misplaced or stolen.

“Dial the USSD code *966*911# and follow the pop-up instructions to block your ATM card instantly,” EFCC advised

Oyewale said the commission would not relent in safeguarding personal, corporate and national finances in its quest to rid the nation of all forms of economic and financial crimes. (NAN)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed its operatives  on election monitoring operations in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.

The commission’s head, media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement said the operations were aimed at checking electoral fraud and associated crimes.

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He said: “In its drive to checkmate electoral fraud and associated financial crimes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has deployed its officers to Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States where governorship elections are holding on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

“The commission’s monitoring operations are to tackle any form of voter’s inducement through vote buying, vote selling and other manipulation of the electoral processes at variance with the Electoral Act.”

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has arraigned 11 students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.

The defendants were arraigned on different count charges, ranging from one to six charges as preferred against them by the EFCC.

They are: Perekebena Olombeni Micah, Nnekwelugo Nnaemeka, Moyosore Favour Oluwasakin and Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro.

Others are : Daniel Olashile Maiye, Gbolahan Khalid Adesina, Yinka Temitope Jayeola, Olumuyiwa Emmanuel Adeleye, Abiola Emmanuel Oluwadare, Busari Abdulazeez Ayodeji and Okesipe Tobiloba Paul.

Nine of the defendants were arraigned on one -count charge each, while the remaining two: Micah and Obaro had six count- charges filed against each of  them.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Perekebena Olombeni Micah sometimes in 2023 in Osogbo, Osun state within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did fraudulently impersonated the name – Pies through your Whatsapp account phone number +1(414)367-9473 by claiming that you are an American female in love with your victims in the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”

Another count reads, “That you, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro on or about 1st November, 2023 at Ile-Ife, Osun state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white man by name Alex Stephens from United States of America to one Megan Johnson, through your Google Chat and your email address (alexsteps678@gmail.com) with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”

The Head, Media and Publicity of the antigraft agency, Dele Oyewale in a statement said upon the arraignment of the suspects, they all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

Oyewale said “Consequently, prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni prayed the court for trial dates and the remand of the defendants at a Correctional Centre.

“In response, defence counsels to Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye and Okesipe informed the court of “motions for bail applications” filed on behalf of their clients which have been served on the prosecution, therefore urging the court to admit the six defendants to bail in the most liberal terms.”

Justice Ayo-Emmanuel, having listened to the prayers of both parties, admitted Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye and Okesipe to bail.

Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Adeleye and Okesipe were admitted to bail in the sum of N2million each while Micah was granted bail in the sum of N3million.

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Other bail conditions are:  two sureties in like sum, first surety must be the defendant’s father or mother, second surety must be a relative, sibling, clergy or civil servant with the Osun state government; the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means and both residential and office addresses of the sureties, as well as their statuses must be provided and verified by the court registrar.

The judge adjourned the matters to November 29 and December 12, 2023 respectively for commencement of trial and remanded the defendants at the Ilesha Correctional Centre,  Osun State pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The defendants were among the 69 suspected internet fraudsters arrested on Wednesday, November 01, 2023 at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife in Osun state following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.